They also emit the bluest light ever recorded for any bioluminescent insect, even bluer than their famous glowworm cousins Arachnocampa found in New Zealand caves. These “glow worms”, known by the scientific name Orfelia fultoni, are the only bioluminescent fly species in North America. In fact, this is an extremely rare phenomenon that is restricted to a small region of the southern Appalachian Mountains in the Eastern United States. What’s all the fuss about? This is no ordinary bug. Codi informed me that most nights sold out at the current cap of 25 people. “In the old days we didn’t put any cap on it and some nights we had as many as 90 people.” Entering the Hazard Cave Trail By some quirk of timing, our expedition consisted of only 7 participants.
Dim red headlamps and flashlights came on one by one and after a brief introduction from the ranger, Codi, we headed off into the black forest. Two other cars pulled into the lot, followed by a ranger’s truck. We managed to find a tour that wasn’t sold out and one of the adorable Pickett State Park cabins was available for the same night. It popped into our heads just days earlier. The tours are only conducted in late May and early June. We had wanted to witness this natural marvel for years but somehow never got the timing right. A simulation of the glow worm caves at Pickett State Park, Tennessee Yes, it was finally time to realize one of our dreams, to take a tour of the glow worm caves at Pickett State Park, Tennessee. We had driven more than 200 miles that day, full of excitement to see a bioluminescent maggot. As we opened the car door the incessant call of a whip-poor-will echoed loudly through the forest. The indigo sky was darkening quickly but a near-full moon was peeking through the tree tops.
We rolled slowly to a stop in the Hazard Cave trailhead parking area at 8:20 PM.
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