Southwest Synchronous Fireflies at Tumacacori 

By Chris Robie, Cohort 6 & Xerces Ambassador

Growing up on a Pennsylvania farm, firefly shows were a common summer occurrence. Barefoot, we chased and captured them in glass jars, often forgetting about them until the tiny, lifeless bodies were dumped out the next day.

For the past fifty years, we’ve lived and enjoyed the natural world, including fireflies, throughout the U.S. Four years ago, life brought us to Arizona. Here, I became a Xerces Ambassador and then a Pima County Master Naturalist, deepening my appreciation for invertebrates. While I miss monarchs, I’ve occasionally seen one.

However, I never imagined seeing fireflies in the desert. Until August 11th, when a front-page newspaper article announced their discovery at Tumacacori National Historical Park. To my surprise, the interviewed Ranger Biologist, Tony Palmer, was an acquaintance from Omaha, NE, whom I had met volunteering at a local nature center, Fontenelle Forest. Without hesitation, I signed up for one of the 50 visitor spots available over five nights.

On August 28th, Tony graciously allowed me to set up a table with Xerces materials to share with visitors before we ventured into the darkening orchard for a hike. Sometimes, an experience deserves more than mere sentences; so I wrote a poem.

If we’re lucky enough to have fireflies with us next year, I highly recommend witnessing this magical display. Special thanks to Tony Palmer, the staff at Tumacacori, and Arizona Daily Star reporter Henry Brean.

Ethereal Lights 

Tiny ethereal lights 

awaken the darkening orchard’s silhouette

and we gaze in wonder

at what is so rare

west of the Rockies.

Blink, blink, blink,

the male Photinus knulli rise; 

for a moment, a part of the constellation sky,

then sink

to the grasses below,

where a female awaits to choose her mate.

We are humbled to witness their fate.

Is it a bright flicker for their future,

or for this delicate invertebrate, as others,

is it too late?

We watch mesmerized,

reach out to touch their invisible dance,

and whisper a prayer,

please give us humans

another chance?

• Written after visiting the Southwest Synchronous Fireflies at Tumacacori National Historic Park.