"Christmas Lights" in the Valley: Winter Fireflies Decorate the Green Forest of Daxue Mountain

▲ Winter firefly scenery is rare, but in the Daxue Mountain Forest Recreation Area, fireflies also appear in winter. (Photo / Screenshot fromthe Forestry Bureau website, same below)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

You can enjoy fireflies even in winter now!" The"Daxue Mountain Forest Recreation Area"spans warm, temperate, and cold forest zones, boasting rich biodiversity and diverse firefly species that can be spotted year-round.

Many people assume that fireflies only appear in spring and summer, but Taiwan has actually recorded nine species of autumn and winter fireflies, and theDaxue Mountain area is home to eight species of winter fireflies. The light emitted by these autumn and winter fireflies tends to be cooler in color, mainly green, often producing continuous glowing trailsthat transform the winter Daxue Mountain into a green-lit forest, resembling Christmas lights, heralding the arrival of Christmas and New Year.
 

▲ Male firefly of the sacred tree species.
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The autumn and winter fireflies of the Daxue Mountain area are predominantly the sacred tree firefly. The adult sacred tree firefly is nocturnal, emitting a continuous green glow, and is a high-altitude species. There are records of it remaining active and glowing even at temperatures as low as 6°C. The males emit faint glowing trails, and in some areas, individuals may dim or briefly extinguish during flight, making their paths harder to track. Females often glow on earthen banks beside forest trails or clinging to branches to attract males for mating, and their glow is noticeably brighter than that of the males.

Li Yanshou, Director of the Dongshi Forest District Office, stated: "The best time to view winter fireflies is from October to December each year. Their peak activity lasts about an hour, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.Near the Daxue Mountain Forest Road in front of the Visitor Center, you may encounter winter fireflies—visitors are encouraged to make time to come up the mountain for this experience. Also, please remember to stay quiet while viewing and cover flashlights with red cellophane to minimize disturbance to the fireflies."

Daxue Mountain Forest Recreation Area
Address: Kilometer 43, Daxue Mountain Forest Road, Heping District, Taichung City
 

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