Fireflies surround an Indian almond tree in Camarines Sur, Luzon, Philippines
© Jurgen Freund/Minden Picture
Dance of the fireflies. A summertime light show
It’s the season of love for fireflies. They create these soft flashes of light as they search for a suitable mate. The glow is produced by a chemical reaction in a firefly’s abdomen. In addition to attracting a partner, the light is believed to deter potential predators by signalling that the insect’s chemical makeup may produce a foul taste or even be toxic. The fireflies on our homepage image were photographed with a long exposure in the Philippines, where fireflies are a popular tourist attraction. Some firefly species here and in other parts of South East Asia are known for their synchronised flashing, creating dramatic light shows in the dark.
Related Images
The village of Aguerd Oudad and the larger town of Tafraout in Morocco
Bamburgh Castle and sand dunes after snowfall in Northumberland
Lake Dobson in Mount Field National Park of Tasmania, Australia
La Digue, an island in the Seychelles
Oast house roofs with wind vanes decorated with agricultural scenes on a farm in Kent
The distinctive roof of the British Museum and the surrounding area
Mua Caves in the Ninh Bình province of Vietnam
The Harbin Ice and Snow Festival in China
Bing Today Images
Butterfly pollinating on yellow flower
Jun 24, 2026
Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, Utah
Jun 24, 2025
Volcanic crater lakes on Kelimutu, Flores, Indonesia
Jun 24, 2024
Nha Phu Bay, Nha Trang, Vietnam
Jun 24, 2023
The Dune of Pilat in Arcachon Bay, south-west France
Jun 24, 2021
