Don't Miss Georgia's Rarest Firefly Display!

It is nearing the end of the month of May and with that being said, it is the peak time right now to see Georgia's rarest fireflies called the "Blue Ghost Fireflies".

Blue Ghost FirefliesPhoto byGracie Latrelle

Blue Ghost Fireflies are an extremely rare species of fireflies that can be found and located in a few places in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Some of these places include Dupont State Forest, Pisgah National Forest and the Cohutta Wilderness area of North Georgia.

These fireflies are not only extremely rare but they are super special as well because these fireflies unlike the other common species do not blink or flash their light in the color yellow. Instead these fireflies have a blueish glow and they do not blink repeatedly but instead glow for several seconds gliding across the air. Like, you guessed it a ghost!

Legend has it that the Blue Ghost Fireflies are ghosts of Confederate soliers who lost their lives in the areas that these fireflies can be found.

Female Blue Ghost Fireflies are wingless and remain larval into their adult life stage so instead of flying around during their breeding season and showing off their bluish lights, they instead put on their blue light display on the ground to help attract the flying males to them so they can mate.

Ideal conditions to see these rare Georgia fireflies is when the ground and leafy litter which they call home is very moist. Fireflies love moist and warm condition for mating and to preform their mating show.

Prime time to view the beautiful blue fireflies is after dark around 9:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Wikipedia