Visitors gather at Blue Spring State Park in Borussia County to see manatees huddled in search of warmth in the winter, the park attracts capacity crowds in the summer swimming weather.
What daytime visitors are missing is the seasonal out-of-hour views in the shape of hundreds of sparkling fireflies that are illuminated to attract companions. This is why Friends of Blue Spring State Park created Firefly Nights. This is an event where you can collect money and allow the park to guests to stay after closing that day. Tickets for this special occasion are available on dates until April 6th.
During a firefly chat around Sunset, the park rangers explained the causes of these beetles. This particular form of bioluminescence is caused by the chemical reaction of the substrate luciferin and the enzyme luciferase. Florida has 53 species of fireflies out of over 2,000 species discovered worldwide. Blue Springs gives these three types of homes, but visitors primarily see Florida alone snappy fireflies, or homologs of Foturis.
These lightning bolts are illuminated by a single “Snappy” flash, and the flash flashes with about one flash every half seconds. They actually shine in stages of eggs, larvae, pups, adult life, but people will see adult men illuminated with hopes of attracting their peers.
After a ranger-led presentation, visitors can catch the perfect sunset on the St. John’s River before wandering through the boardwalk. The fireflies glow the brightest in the forest behind the spring boiling, and glow across the water from the forest trail along the promenade next to the spring run.
This means that spring run remains closed for swimming amid the park’s continued renovations. The corridor leading to the spring head is fenced, but opens for ticket customers’ special treats for fireflies viewing outside of business hours.
Standing on the boardwalk near the spring boiling, visitors of all ages made a statement of adoration and wonder as they kept their voices silent with a show of respect for the wonders of nature.
“They’re smoothing,” spitting out one of the young explorers, reminiscing about some of the presentations that touched on “Firefly Dates.”
Another woman pointed out that in the 1960s the display of light looked like her backyard.
In recent decades, more fireflies have disappeared due to development and mild contamination. According to Firefly.org, “Most species of fireflies thrive as larvae of rotten wood and forest waste on the edges of ponds and streams, not far from where they were born. Open fields and forest paved are replaced by these luminous beetles, destroying the firefly’s natural life cycle.
Park rangers also pointed out that pesticides are supposed to blame part of the decline in fireflies. Event guests are advised to avoid using bug spray, apply it to the parking lot, or refrain from shining bright light while fireflies are coming out.
Hundreds of lightning lighted up the night with Blue Springs, and all guests who are in awe of this natural miracle are paying attention to how remarkable and unusual this phenomenon has become. It was certainly a special treat.
Find @pconnpie on Instagram or send an email at pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.
If you’re going
Firefly Nights are available every night at 2100 W. French Avenue in Orange City from 6pm to 9pm. Tickets cost $14 per car. Each purchase benefits from friends from Blue Spring State Park. More details: friendsofbluesSpringStatePark.org
Original release: March 20, 2025 10am Edt
