Firefly season is upon us and fireflies will emerge through about the second week in July. Visit the Greenbelt Firefly Sanctuary in Stream Valley Park after dark when they put on their show or go to one of several areas around the city that have high concentrations of fireflies. These include the patch of woods between Lastner Lane and the Police Station or the woods on Hamilton Place past the Greenbelt Homes, Inc., offices.
Many backyards in Greenbelt also have fireflies. They are abundant in areas that have these characteristics: protection from pesticides, dark nights, food such as snails, slugs and earth worms and safe places to overwinter that include leaf litter and clean water. They thrive in areas where the soil has not been disturbed. Fireflies like scrubby, grassy areas next to trees and damp soil.
There will be an informational talk at the sanctuary on Saturday, July 9 at 10 p.m., with someone on hand to answer questions between 9:30 and 11 p.m. Scientists believe the main cause of firefly decline is light pollution. Fireflies are sensitive to even small amounts of light which interfere with their ability to find a mate. Help fireflies by turning off backyard lights during the season.
The Firefly Sanctuary in the Stream Valley Park can be accessed via the paved trail that runs northward, just west of the Crescent Road/Northway intersection and directly across Crescent from Field House Road, which runs along the old St. Hugh’s school. Follow the lighted path past a series of three bridges on the left until the path opens up into a wide space.