Fireflies in Sydney?!??!

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

During our short expedition to our viewing site at The Oaks in southern Sydney last night we were all super-surprised to see two (yep - just two) fireflies hovering around us on the field. They glowed, on and off, a bright fluoro green colour at about the same hue as a green laser pointer. Truly spectacular little doohickies.

While they are common in lots of other places, (including New York where we used to catch them an put them in a jar for a while to make our own lantern) I've never in my 45 years seen them here in Australia.

Did they come into the country in someones' luggage?

I'm sure people are going to respond by saying they see them all the time, but I don't think so - not here in Sydney.

Bizzarre!

[acropolite (Phil)]

There are native fireflies in Australia

Fireflies live from Sydney northwards to the tropical north, and prefer wet areas such as rainforests and mangroves.
Species notes

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the firefly's blinking light comes from segments on the underside of the abdomen. A chemical process is triggered by air coming in, and the chemicals react to the presence of oxygen with a blaze of light. The oxygen is soon exhausted, but the process is quickly recharged for the next burst -- hence the flashing effect. Males are the main flashers, cruising at night in search of a mate. Females give an answering blink. Firefly larvae and pupae are also slightly luminous. The larvae feed on snails, but the adults probably don't feed at all. When many individuals of some tropical species of firefly gather in bushes and trees, they synchronise their flashes into a spectacular light show that may also serve to confuse potential predators.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by acropolite

There are native fireflies in Australia

I saw that googling too - the thing is though, I've never seen any in Sydney before - ever!

Weird!

[Karls48 (Karl)]

Never seen fireflies in Sydney but along Coxs River there are plenty of them in the summer. I used to go fishing there years back and I was quite surprised to see fireflies there. I don’t know if they are native to Australia, they look very similar to fireflies I used to catch in Europe when I was kid.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Karl - where along Coxs River?

[mcross]

You occasionally see them here on the Sunshine Coast. We saw some a year or two ago, but hadn't seen any for years before this. It's always a real treat to see them!
Mark

[Karls48 (Karl)]

Where the Little River joins Coxs River. There used to be huge brow trout and some good rainbows. You can get there on Six-foot track but that’s very long hike. We used to go with Land Rover thru pine plantation down to Little River Water board reserve and left car there and hike few km upstream Coxs River. I don’t know if this access is still open I haven’t been there for many years.

[Ric]

Good value Chris, I have never seen them but I reckon They would be very interesting to see.

Cheers

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by Karls48

Where the Little River joins Coxs River. There used to be huge brow trout and some good rainbows. You can get there on Six-foot track but that’s very long hike. We used to go with Land Rover thru pine plantation down to Little River Water board reserve and left car there and hike few km upstream Coxs River. I don’t know if this access is still open I haven’t been there for many years.

Cool! Thanks!

My wife and I did the Six Foot Track going the Katoomba to Jenolan way. I remember the heat, and us both carrying 45+ kg packs because of the changeable conditions. Tough walking up from the Coxs River towards Jenolan. A great 3 or 4 day hike though.

[sheeny (Al)]

Yep. this time of year they are out and about around Colong Caves in the KBNP. We often see them on caving trips. The climate in the valley at Colong is not dissimilar to Sydney/ The Oaks so it's not surprising to me. The Oaks is not too far from the bush...

Al.

[RB (Andrew)]

Now I wish you had your camera for that one Chris !
I'd love to see these little creatures.

I've been told that there's a place up here on the Central Coast, The Forrest Of Tranquility that has a festival each year.
Would love to check it out.

Forest of Tranquillity

The Forest of Tranquillity is a stunningly beautiful rainforest where you can experience the magic of an ancient, unhurried world. See vistas of stately trees, lush palms, ferns, awesome sandstone cliffs and magnificent canopy overviews - all varied with nature's seasonal colours. What makes this unique sanctuary doubly interesting is the wealth of its wild birds, with over 124 different species now recorded. The rainforest walks vary from a stroll of 10 minutes up to 100 minutes.

Open Wednesday to Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (daily during school and public holidays).

Fire Fly Festival :

Firefly Festival Flies vary with weather conditions, out at dusk only, entry from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday & Sunday mid-November to mid-December. Please bring a torch.

Just one hour's drive from Sydney or Newcastle.

Forest of Tranquillity
Ourimbah Creek Road
Ourimbah NSW 2258
Tel: (02) 4362 1855
Fax: (02) 4362 1595

[Sharnbrook (Mike)]

They are not uncommon in Brisbane's Western Suburbs, but I have only seen a few this year, and one of those times we had one flying around in the bedroom one night.

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Originally Posted by Rocket Boy

Now I wish you had your camera for that one Chris !
I'd love to see these little creatures.

I've been told that there's a place up here on the Central Coast, The Forrest Of Tranquility that has a festival each year.
Would love to check it out.

Funny you should mention the Forest of Tranquility, RB. My family is attending a dusk firefly party there for a girl my daughter's age next Saturday night.

I have seen them on private property at Narara around this time of year as well. They tend to be in dank places near creeks in temperate rainforest areas.

[norm]

I'm all excited about these fireflies now. Always wanted to see them . Has to be one of natures little mysteries. Hmmm wondering if its worth a trip to Jenolan Caves

[mrsnipey]

Went camping in Tenterfield a couple of years ago and saw hundreds of them. It was quite spectacular. Just like christmas lights.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by norm

I'm all excited about these fireflies now. Always wanted to see them . Has to be one of natures little mysteries. Hmmm wondering if its worth a trip to Jenolan Caves

Norm - it'd be great to get some fireflies there as I could imagine the conditions would be perfect - cool damp and dank - especially in the grotto at the end of the Glow Worm tunnel. Speaking of those, you'd get a double dose of green glowing critters!

[ving (David)]

i see them all the time.... oh ok i dont. interesting tho that you saw them chris
you should have take some pictures

[Kal (Andrew)]

Went for a drive last Sunday to visit some family in Newcastle, and decided to drop in to see the Firefly Festival at the Forest of Tranquility on the way back, as it is only 4km off the freeway. Definately had a christmas feel to it - walking through the rainforest at dusk with all these blinking green lights around

[ving (David)]

i am soooooooooooooo going to ourimbah!

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Yep, I went to the very same Forest of Tranquility last Saturday night, and was amazed by the performance put on by the little critters. Quite amazing....endless flashes of what I would describe as a light lemony-green colour.

We managed to catch a few in a little insect catcher, so the kids were able to have a really good look. They have two sections at the back half of the abdomen that flash on and off like a light switch.