Background of the Vanishing Firefly Park:
In May 2023, in Guangzhou, the habitat of a large native firefly population was threatened due to the expansion plan of a highway.
With a total investment of 15.7 billion, the expansion project of the national highway from Shenyang to Haikou, including the preliminary expansion work of Guangzhou’s North Second Ring Road which started in December 2022, involves the Tiandu Lake National Secondary Forest Park. The expansion from 6 lanes to 12 lanes, along with the construction of bridges, slope protection, drainage channels, and the light pollution from street lights on both sides of the highway, significantly overlaps with the habitat of fireflies in Tiandu Lake Forest Park. This firefly habitat is a rare composite ecological habitat in Guangzhou, home to ten species of fireflies including Curtos fulvocapitalis, Abscondia terminalis、 Pyrocoelia analis、Pyrocoelia lunata， Asymmetricata circumdata、Aquatica leii、Luciola curtithorax、DIaphanes sp.、Rhagophthalmus sp. , and an unknown bioluminescent species.
Fireflies, highly dependent on their habitat and with weak flight ability, find it difficult to migrate over long distances, making the highway expansion project a significant threat to their continued survival.
In 2020, the International Union for Conservation of Nature warned that fireflies might face extinction globally due to multiple threats, including light pollution, habitat loss, and the degradation of habitat caused by pesticides and chemical pollution. In 2021, researchers from the Xerces Society, ABQ BioPark, and the IUCN Firefly Specialist Group assessed 128 species of fireflies in the United States and found that 14 species were threatened with extinction, meaning about 11% of North American firefly species are at risk. Fireflies have thrived in fields, forests, marshes, and mangroves for generations. However, with development, shopping malls, highways, shrimp farms, parking lots, and palm oil plantations have gradually replaced these wild places. The IUCN researchers have identified three major threats to fireflies: habitat loss, widespread use of pesticides, and light pollution. Among these, habitat loss is the most significant issue in most areas, followed by light pollution and then pesticides.
The “Vanishing Firefly Park,” created by a group of Homo sapiens (citizens of Guangzhou) in collaboration with fireflies, spiders, frogs, golden retrievers, snakes, butterflies, and other species, serves as a sanctuary where these creatures freely reproduce. The park, named for the fireflies that shine brightest at night, is on the verge of disappearing.
This park, covering 543,700 square meters (815.55 acres), is home to more than ten species of fireflies, a rarity in the entire South China region. It is currently located beside the North Second Ring Road in Guangzhou (near Muyuan Village).
In this 543,700 square meter (815.55 acres) paradise, over ten species of fireflies live, breed, and connect with nature and everything around them. At dusk, they rise from nowhere, joining the night’s chorus.
Here, just a few meters away from the highway, representing the city’s speed and hustle, the summer frog chorus drowns out the noise from the road, creating a lively atmosphere. In the mud ponds close to the highway, rare aquatic fireflies—Aquatica leii—twinkle with green light in the night sky.
The mud pond is bordered by layers of bamboo leaves, which perfectly shield the bright light from nearby street lamps. Some green light spots are scattered in groups under the tall reeds by the water, sometimes moving slowly on the leaves of the light bamboo. These are the larvae of the Orange Firefly and the Crescent Moon Window Firefly, which feeds on snails.
“A Diaphanes sp larva enjoying a big meal of earthworms by the roadside / Photographed by Ping Lei”
In May, during the breeding season of the Pseudo-pattern Firefly, clear summer nights sparkle with the brightest orange lights under the black night sky. Hundreds of Pseudo-pattern Fireflies dance among the shrubs and ferns on both sides of the mountain forest. The habits of these and the Yellow-headed Vein Wing Firefly remain a mystery. Due to limited understanding, it is currently difficult for humans to artificially breed these two types of fireflies or create suitable habitats for them. Your observations and records could contribute to their research and protection.
Here, you might also catch a glimpse of the Rhagophthalmus sp. . The magical female remains worm-shaped for life, moving like a green light strip. It preys on centipedes and has very high environmental requirements. So far, its male counterpart has not been found, and the species remains unidentified. However, due to light pollution and habitat destruction, this type of firefly has become very rare.
Rhagophthalmus sp./ PIng Lei photography
They need to be seen, and we invite you to visit—
The “Vanishing Firefly Park” is expected to be leveled in September this year due to the expansion project of the North Second Ring Road in Guangzhou. We hope to bring more attention to these creatures and this park before they disappear.
We have spent months researching fireflies, reptiles, and butterflies in this area, creating educational exhibits, art installations, and viewing route signs, inviting everyone to visit!
Art Installation: Invasive Bioluminescence
A black fishing net creates a field representing the fireflies’ night. Everyone who comes can take away a lamp. As more people take lamps away, it symbolizes how human activities are gradually making fireflies disappear. The bioluminescence gathers like a sky full of stars. They are beautiful yet fragile, and ecological destruction threatens their existence.
It’s hard to imagine what the future holds for these silent beings. They may eventually vanish, but before that happens, we invite you, a nature lover, to enjoy the bioluminescent lights on a summer night and try to connect with the fireflies and nature. Bring something with you, and take away a bit of bioluminescence.
The Vanishing Firefly Park officially opened on July 14, 2023, at 19:30, and we will also host night tours periodically in the group. The park will remain open until the start of the expansion project.You are welcome to bring friends and family to this feast! Besides observing, feeling, and experiencing. (Suggested items to bring: flashlight, wear long pants to prevent mosquito bites)
Address: Guangzhou Gold Construction Co., Ltd.
- Route 1: Drive along Tianlu North Road → Muyuan North Road
- Route 2: Take a bus to Muyuan Village, a few hundred meters to the park
PS: Adult firefly viewing season: April-June / Autumn and winter adult firefly viewing season: November-December
At the crossroads in front of the bamboo forest, turn left.
Turning left at the crossroads, you can see the sign for Firefly Park. Walking down this path…
Stepping on these little stone piers inside leads to the bioluminescent pond and forest. Be careful when walking.
Turning right at the crossroads, passing the Tadpole House and Frog Chorus Hall, climbing the stairs, you enter a dense Fengshui forest. This is the main gathering area for Pseudo-pattern Fireflies and Yellow-headed Vein Wing Fireflies, whose habits are still unknown.
Climbing the stairs into the bioluminescent forest.