By Judy Mathat. (May 6, 2025) —
It was a cool, foggy night in Germany, and we were walking with friends—five children between us—along a wooded trail near their home. The giggles were many, the flashlights were none, and the path had vanished into the mist. The turnoff to their home was lost in the dark. With little ones holding onto shirttails and each other, “lost” wasn’t part of the plan, but it was quickly becoming our reality.
Then, through the hush and haze, we saw them—strange, floating lights up ahead. They grew brighter as we turned onto a side trail. Like a runway in the woods, our path home was suddenly lit on both sides by tiny glowing creatures, unlike anything we’d ever seen. We’d been guided by fireflies—our first encounter.
The next sighting came during a family vacation in Genoa, Italy, where we camped on a mountainside overlooking the city and bay. As night fell, we watched fireflies blink and dart between the tall, narrow Italian cypress trees lining the campground. Their silent, flickering dance felt like a blessing.
Years later, we returned stateside after another tour in Germany and were stationed in Belleville, Illinois. Our base housing backed up to tall, endless cornfields. One night, my youngest son tugged at me, excitement in his voice. “Come see!” he said. Past 10 p.m., net and jar in hand, we slipped into the dark. Fireflies winked in and out of the corn like tiny spirits, and in no time, the jar glowed like a lantern. He promised to let them go in the morning—and he did—but not before falling asleep beside his homemade nightlight, a swirling jar of light and wonder (and not-so-pretty bugs).
And then there was Quincy—the big, rehomed black Newfoundland dog who came to live with us in our motorhome. We were parked at the RV park outside the Horse Museum in Lexington, Kentucky. I was sitting outside, enjoying the stillness while Quincy sprawled across the cool green grass. All at once, the field around us erupted with light. Thousands of fireflies blinked their soft messages in the night air. It was breathtaking.
Now, hearing whispers that the glow worms of El Dorado might still be around, I am overjoyed. Maybe—just maybe—one evening, on a warm summer night, I’ll see them again. And when I do, I’ll remember every glowing moment they lit the way home.
The glow worms of El Dorado County by Cris Alarcon
—– A true story by Cris Alarcon. Amidst a thunderstorm in 2021, a routine task of clearing drain ditches for a winter storm lead to an extraordinary encounter with a glowing bug, igniting a journey of curiosity and revelation in me. The presence of El Dorado Native Glow Worms! —-
Unraveling the Enigma of El Dorado County’s Glow Worms Amidst Thunderous Skies!
In the winter of 2021, amidst the tumult of a thunderstorm, I found myself trudging up the familiar gravel driveway of my home tasked with the mundane chore of clearing drains to prevent serious erosion damage. Rain cascaded down in sheets, soaking me to the bone, while flashes of lightning illuminated the darkening sky like celestial fireworks.
As I worked, my attention was drawn to a peculiar sight—a soft, pulsating glow emanating from some weeds near the damp earth. Intrigued, I approached cautiously, my curiosity piqued by this unexpected phenomenon. Nestled amidst the wet foliage lay a lone bug, its tiny body radiating an ethereal light that danced in the darkening sky.
In all my years in this county, I had never encountered such a creature. Glow worms are a “rarity” here, their presence a whispered rumor among the locals and less common than barflies. Yet here was one, casting its gentle glow upon the sodden ground like a tiny beacon in the night.
But as quickly as the light had appeared, it vanished, swallowed by the brilliance of a nearby lightning strike. Startled by the sudden flash, I retreated, eager to seek shelter from the raging storm.
Later that evening, as the storm subsided and the lightning stopped, I found myself drawn back to the same spot, my curiosity burning bright. And there, amidst the aftermath of the tempest, I made a remarkable discovery.
Glowing softly amidst the dew-drenched grass were not one, but many creatures, their tailends aglow with an inner radiance that defied explanation. These were not fireflies, but El Dorado Native Glow Worms, “Western Banded Glowworms” – known to science as Zarhipis integripennis.
In that moment, I realized that I had stumbled upon a breeding ground, a hidden sanctuary of phosphorescent marvels nestled in the heart of my own backyard. These humble creatures, with their remarkable ability to emit light from within, were engaged in a silent dance of courtship, seeking out their destined mates amidst the darkness.
As I watched, captivated by the beauty of this natural spectacle, I couldn’t help but marvel at the wonders that surrounded me. In this corner of the world, amidst the rolling hills and the whispering trees, nature had woven a tapestry of life so rich and diverse, it never ceased to amaze.
And so, dear reader, remember this tale as a testament to the beauty and wonder that can be found in the most unexpected of places. For in the midst of a thunderstorm, amidst the chaos of nature’s fury, I had stumbled upon a hidden gem—a reminder of the countless mysteries that await those who dare to seek them out.
Here is the science of the bioluminescence of our animal world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSd3vI2247o
