Summer Tradition! What is the precious environment where you can see fireflies?
"Fireflies" are a symbol of Japanese summer.
Recently, there are limited places where you can see fireflies, so it is not easy to see them.
What kind of environment is needed to see fireflies?
Fireflies are
in what kind of environment seen?
Fireflies are not often seen in urban areas, but it is said that there are about 2,000 species living mainly in tropical regions around the world, and about 50 species in Japan. The most popular species nationwide are the "Heike firefly" and "Genji firefly", and some of you may have heard of them. These fireflies live in limited environments because they are delicate creatures. So, what kind of environment do fireflies grow in?
Every year around June, eggs are born from female fireflies and hatch in about a month. After that, during the 9 to 10 month period of the larval stage, they live in the river. Therefore, one of the conditions is that the river must have clean water and a gentle flow. Also, since fireflies feed on a type of snail called "kawanina", it is important that the river has kawanina living in it. When fireflies become pupae from larvae, it is also important that the soil is suitable for fireflies, without chemical fertilizers mixed in.
As such, it is important that various conditions are met for fireflies to live, and various management activities are carried out in each region. For example, in some areas, efforts are made to create an environment where fireflies can live comfortably, such as securing flying space for adult fireflies, moderate logging to increase kawanina, and cleaning up fallen leaves and mowing grass.
Fireflies habitat
Recently, due to the pollution of rivers and the use of pesticides, the number of fireflies, which are food sources, has decreased. In addition, abnormal weather such as typhoons and heavy rain, as well as the lack of darkness in urban areas, have led to a decrease in the number of fireflies. As a result, the places where fireflies can live are limited, and they are considered to be very precious creatures.
Also, the environment where fireflies can be seen is affected by factors such as climate, season, and time. Fireflies are at their peak from late May to late June during the rainy season, and their lifespan is only about 1 to 2 weeks, so the time when they can be seen is very limited. They prefer a warm temperature of over 20 degrees and a dark place, so it is best to visit on a cloudy night without moonlight. It is said that they are less likely to appear on days with bad weather conditions such as rain, strong winds, and cold temperatures.
Fireflies emit light while flying twice, so the best time to see them is from 7pm to 8pm for the first time, and from 10pm to 11pm for the second time.
Where are the spots in Kanto
to watch fireflies?
There are limited spots for firefly watching, but one of the spots that can be seen in the Kanto region is "Mobility Resort Motegi" located in Motegi-cho, Haga-gun, Tochigi Prefecture.
Here, you can enjoy various experiences with your family, such as "Park" with activities for children and motorsports.
Activities to experience nature
Among them, at "Hello Woods" where you can enjoy nature experiences, there is a dedicated staff who carefully manages the environment, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. At "Hello Woods", there is an activity called "Night Satoyama Experience Firefly Watching Tour".
In this activity, you can enjoy searching for living creatures in the rice fields until 9 pm, starting at 5:30 pm at "Hello Woods". After that, you can watch fireflies in the rice fields within "Hello Woods". With the explanation of fireflies by knowledgeable staff, you can observe them while learning about their ecology. In addition, you can also observe other living creatures that inhabit the rice fields.
At "Hello Woods", where the environment for fireflies is well-maintained, there are many other nature experiences available, so if you are interested, please take a look.
Fireflies prefer beautiful places and can only live in limited conditions.
Therefore, it is necessary to protect the environment where fireflies can live.
It would be great if we could continue to enjoy firefly watching for a long time,
while taking care not to threaten the environment that fireflies prefer during the summer tradition.
