From sea sparkles to fireflies : Chasing Australia’s ‘big four’

From sea sparkles to fireflies : Chasing Australia’s ‘big four’

1. Sea Sparkles (Noctiluca scintillans) – Bioluminescent Plankton

• Where: Jervis Bay (NSW), Tasmania, Gippsland Lakes (Victoria)

• When: Warm months (Nov–May), after hot days and calm seas

• What it is: A type of phytoplankton that emits blue light when disturbed (e.g., by waves, swimmers, or boats).

• Experience: Walking along glowing shores at night or kayaking through glowing waves.

 Science Behind It:

The plankton uses a chemical reaction (luciferin + oxygen) triggered by movement to produce light — likely for defense.

2. Glow Worms (Arachnocampa spp.) – Glowing Larvae

• Where: Springbrook National Park (QLD), Tamborine Mountain, Blue Mountains (NSW)

• When: All year, best on warm, damp nights

• What it is: Larvae of a fly species that emit a bluish-green light to attract prey.

• Experience: Entering dark caves or rainforests lit by thousands of tiny glowing dots — like a natural starry ceiling.

 Science Behind It:

Glow worms use bioluminescence to lure insects into their sticky silk threads.

3. Fireflies (Lampyridae) – Flashing Beetles

• Where: Mary River (NT), along rivers in QLD and NSW

• When: Late spring to early summer (Oct–Dec), just after sunset

• What it is: Flying beetles that flash in patterns to attract mates.

• Experience: Magical light shows in wetlands, often in sync across groups.

 Science Behind It:

Males and females communicate through flashing light signals using a light-producing enzyme called luciferase.

4. Fungi (Mycena chlorophos) – Ghost Mushrooms

• Where: Glencoe Forest, South Australia; Victoria’s Otways; Tasmania

• When: May–June (Autumn)

• What it is: Bioluminescent mushrooms glowing green in darkness.

• Experience: Trekking into a pitch-black forest to witness glowing mushrooms along fallen logs.

 Science Behind It:

The glow comes from a metabolic reaction involving luciferin. The reason is still debated – possibly to attract insects for spore distribution.

 Travel Tips

• Bring: Headlamp with red light (to preserve night vision), insect repellent, sturdy shoes.

• Best Time to Go: Different events occur at different times of the year – plan accordingly.

• Respect Nature: No touching, no flashlights directly at the organisms, stay on trails.

Why It Matters

Australia’s bioluminescent “Big Four” are:

• Rare examples of natural light in the wild

• Culturally and ecologically important

• Increasingly vulnerable to climate change, pollution, and human disturbance

Summary Table