Fireflies are small insects conspicuous by their use of bioluminescence during twilight to communicate, attract mates or prey. Even firefly larvae have a little ‘light’. The insect’s abdomens produce a ‘cold light’, with no infrared or ultraviolet frequencies which is usually a greenish yellow but can even be red. The light can be remarkably bright though, illuminating the immediate surroundings and makes for spectacular viewing especially if the fireflies synchronise or phase their flashes among a big group.
April is the start of the local firefly breeding season and Hong Kong’s green spaces and country parks are home to over 30 species. Fireflies (lampyridae) favour hills and clean streams (for their diet of molluscs) and two of the easiest areas to reach are Tai Po Kau Nature Trail off Tai Po Road and Sha Lo Tung.
You can visit the areas yourself, take water, or take a guided walk. Wouter van Marle’s Adventure Tours offers two firefly walks at Tai Po Kau and Sha Lo Tung both last for about two and a half hours and cost $130. The Sha Lo Tung walk also offers the chance to see bats. Ecotourism HK offers firefly walks at $80.
Located five minutes’ walk from Lantau’s Tai Long pier, the Hong Kong Firefly Museum was founded in 2010 by Mark Mak Siu-fung to study, breed and protect the local firefly population. Since starting his research in 2008 Mark has catalogued more than 30 types of firefly locally including five of which are unique to Hong Kong.
The free museum features a “day and night reversal room” so that fireflies can be both seen and studied during the day as well as exhibition panels, interactive games, ecological boxes, seminars, workshops all focused on increasing awareness of fireflies.
However you go to see these fascinating creatures remember to respect the environment, other walkers and take home your rubbish.
Hong Kong Firefly Museum
23 Tai Lang Village, Sai Ma Wan Peninsula, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Tel: 3488 6100 email: [email protected] www.hongkongfirefly.org
Hong Kong Adventure Tours
www.adventuretours.hk [email protected]
Hong Kong Ecotourism Society
www.ecotourism.org.hk [email protected]