This Saturday, June 8, the summer firefly-watching event returns to Caffarella Park. This is a nature walk (guided) starting from the Appia Antica Park House at 8:30 pm. At a cost of 5 euros you can reserve your place at e-mail: casadelparco@parcoappiaantica.it.
Discovering fireflies
Fireflies are mainly seen in summer for several reasons related to their life cycle and favorable environmental conditions for their mating behavior.
These tiny insects spend most of their lives as larvae (lasting about two years). The adult stage is when they emit light to mate. And guess what, it happens mainly in summer, between June and July, sometimes even as late as August, depending on the species and the area. Usually, in Rome these events are organized in June. In fact, two other dates are scheduled in addition to the meeting on Saturday 8: june 14 and 15 (also in Caffarella).
As for environment, fireflies prefer temperate and humid environments. Summer is the ideal time for them. The bioluminescence of fireflies is related to their mating ritual. During summer nights, males fly by emitting intermittent light signals to attract females, which respond with a steady light.
Light pollution in cities makes it difficult to observe fireflies, which is why nature hikes are usually organized to see these insects.