The serene forest is full of life after the night falls, with winkling fireflies, resting butterflies, lurking Chinese red-head centipedes, and proud-looking stag beetles. Escorted by related staff members, a group of over 30 kids, aged 6-12, embarked on their exploration from Gongqing Forest Park Camping Base at 6:30 pm on Jul. 11. It was raining, while it couldn't dampen their enthusiasm.
They looked through leaves, bushes and niches among rocks, and spotted over 20 types of insects, including earwigs, scarab beetle, citrus long-horned beetle, cyptotympana, and centipede. Through staff members' explanation, they learn the names and features of those insects. Kids burst into cheers as fireflies emerged and dotted the night. "It is the first time that I've seen a real firefly, among other insects. It is really exciting," Tang Mingze, said a 9-year-old accompanying his 7-year-old sister in this exploration.
The exploration is part of "Forest Science Camp" series events launched by the Park, which enables students to experience the nature by combining indoor and outdoor activities.
According to sources, with "observing fireflies" as its highlight, there will be 16 exploration camps in total. Observing insects at night enables the participants to explore nature independently and learn how to look after themselves in natural surroundings during the 7-hour event. Specifically, they could learn how to classify insects via special classes, observe fireflies' habits, make resin insect specimen. Apart from the above, the event also includes picnic, team building and other activities.
Currently, there are only three types of fireflies in Shanghai, namely Curtos costipennis, Luciola substriata Gorham, and female rhagophthalmidae from Tianmo Mountain. Curtos costipennis is the most prevailing fireflies and the most common one in the Park. Local fireflies are very sensitive to water and light, so the Park has to limit the number of exploration camps and participants. All participants are required to turn off headlamp before entering fireflies' Habitats and escorted by staff members.
All of the 16 exploration camps have been fully booked, and the Park added an extra one on Jul. 19, according to sources. Moreover, a 2-day long summer camp is also open for booking.
