With festival cancelled by COVID-19, Japan fireflies dance alone

Photos

Login / Sign Up

Saturday, September 25, 2021

Gold / Forex

With festival cancelled by COVID-19, Japan fireflies dance alone

The incandescent insects are often said to be evidence of a pristine natural environment

Published: July 08, 2020 11:13 AFP and Compiled by Christian Borbon, Digital Content Editor

1 of 10

Copy of 253836-01-02-1594191554045 — As the sun sets in the Japanese town of Tatsuno, thousands of fireflies begin glowing, producing a spectacle that usually draws crowds of delighted visitors. But this year, the dance of the incandescent insects is being performed without spectators, after coronavirus prevention measures forced organisers of a popular firefly festival to cancel the event. Image Credit: AFP

2 of 10

Copy of 253835-01-02-1594191556677 — The decision may have disappointed fans of the brilliant bugs, but it provides an unusually serene atmosphere as the insects blink on and off, appearing to dance through the black night air. The natural spectacle lasts just 10 days in early summer, and is the final chapter of a firefly's life. Image Credit: AFP

3 of 10

Copy of 262362-01-02-1594191546688 — "The glowing is the courtship behaviour of fireflies. They glow to communicate between the male and the female," Katsunori Funaki, from the city's tourism division, told AFP. "During the short, 10-day period, they find a partner and lay eggs for the next year." Image Credit: AFP

4 of 10

Copy of 253838-01-02-1594191549103 — When conditions are right, with neither rain nor wind, as many as 30,000 fireflies perform their magic during the 10-day period in Tatsuno, a town set on a river in central Nagano prefecture. "Historical records say a massive number of fireflies were seen along the Tenryu river in the late 19th through early 20th century," Mayor Yasuo Takei said. Image Credit: AFP

5 of 10

Copy of 253837-01-02-1594191551577 — But the creature almost died out in the area as silk production and other industries flourished further upstream, creating pollution. After World War II, the town worked hard to restore the environment and protect fireflies, and the insects now attract tens of thousands of visitors during the annual summer firefly festival. Image Credit: AFP

6 of 10

Copy of 262367-01-02-1594191534016 — "When we have lots of fireflies, we get a spectacular landscape full of lights, with both stars and glowing fireflies reflected in the water," Takei said. Fireflies are often said to be evidence of a pristine natural environment, but the insects only thrive when other conditions are also met. Image Credit: AFP

7 of 10

Copy of 262365-01-02-1594191539210 — "To help fireflies, we need to have a snail called 'kawanina'," Funaki said. Fireflies spend about nine months of their year-long lifecycle growing in fresh water, and baby insects grow by eating the snail, Funaki said. The town has also created a park complete with ditches to bring in fresh water from the river and waterfalls to produce an oxygen-rich aquatic home for the insects. Image Credit: AFP

8 of 10

Copy of 262366-01-02-1594191536723 — The silence of this year's mating season makes the ritual all the more poignant, said Takei. "The brief shining of the light is so impressive, making me feel that I also have to live my best," he said. Firefly festivals are staged around late June in many parts of Japan, and the glowing courtship ritual has long been celebrated in the country. Image Credit: AFP

9 of 10

Copy of 262363-01-02-1594191544531 — "This may be part of Japan's unique aesthetics, but they are so precious to us because we can only see them for a short period of time," said Takei. Festival organiser Tatsuki Komatsu said he felt the insects were "looking for a partner more freely with no humans around" but said he hoped the festival could be held again next year. Image Credit: AFP

10 of 10

Copy of 262364-01-02-1594191541777 — "Fireflies are a creature that grows over a year and flies for only 10 days to leave behind the next generation before dying," he said. "We want to take care of them so that they will leave eggs for next year and we will once again see fireflies dance wonderfully." Image Credit: AFP

Latest In

Fed’s taper talks rekinddle reflation ‘trade’ hopes

14 minutes ago
UAE: Rain to hit Fujairah, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain

16 minutes ago
Lira hits record lows as Turkey cuts rates

36 minutes ago
Huawei executive freed in Canada

37 minutes ago
Tristar signs up with FICCI for Indian pavilion at Expo

43 minutes ago

This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve your experience and provide more personalized service to you. Both on your website and other media. To find out more about the cookies and data we use, please check out our Privacy Policy.

Photos News

Trending