Fireflies lighting up National Park

Forget glow-worms – fireflies or lightning bugs are lighting up Main Range National Park, right in Brisbane’s own backyard.
Warwick Visitor Information Centre supervisor Charee Aspinall is urging everyone to be quick!
“This only happens once a year for about three weeks during mating season and it is truly amazing,” Ms Aspinall said.
“In the early evening, flashing lights can be seen cruising around in the forest and quite often, they will land on and light up anyone walking by.”
It is believed that the flashing light is used by males and females to attract each other. The light is created by an enzyme (luciferase), which reacts with other chemicals in the insect’s body to produce light energy.
The firefly regulates the emission of light by controlling the amount of air supplied to the cells. The regularity and intensity of the flashing may help fireflies identify males and females.
Main Range National Park, just 110 kilometres west of Brisbane, features impressive mountain peaks, escarpments and ridges that offer breathtaking views.
A popular bushwalking destination, this Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area is home to rare and endangered wildlife.
Ms Aspinall suggests that a picnic barbecue for dinner at the National Park would be the perfect way to enjoy the firefly experience.
“A short drive to the Fassifern Valley Lookout afterwards, where you can see the lights of Brisbane, would be a sensational end to the evening,” she said.