Butterflies fly, fireflies light

Taking your family on an environmental
trip to Da Keng Scenic Area

Words and photos by Taichung City Government
Translated by Naomi Lai

Spring is here, as the warm breezes and returning greenery give new life to the earth. This start to a new cycle of life is the best time to admire the fireflies and butterflies of the Da Keng Scenic Area, so don't miss the chance to take your family there for a weekend nature discovery trip!

Environmental protection efforts bring back fireflies
"Fireflies, come for tea! Hot, hot tea with a banana!": Although many local kids today know the words to this Taiwanese rhyme, very few have actually seen a firefly. Back during our parents' childhoods, before the environment was polluted and the water became too dirty for washing and cooking, one could always see multiple clusters of light sparkling through the summer woods.
Thanks to recent environmental protection efforts by the central and local governments, the sight of flitting butterflies and twinkling fireflies is no longer just a past memory. Thanks to years of effort by the government, these visions can be enjoyed once again at the Da Keng Scenic Area, where you can experience the beauty of a firefly symphony under the early-summer starry night skies each year.

Conservation brings back dancing butterflies and fireflies
According to the management office of the Da Keng Scenic Area, the conservation area next to the Zhong Zheng Camp on the No. 4 Hiking Trail--consisting of Giant Taro (Alocasia macrorrhizos), Willow-Leafed Hygrophila (Hygrophila salicifolia), Umbrella Plants (Cyperus alterniflius), Typha orientalis and other ferns--provides a natural swamp habitat for fireflies, as it is dark and without pesticide pollution. The majority of fireflies here are luciolaficta but dragon flies, frogs and butterflies are also benefiting from conservation efforts.

Visitos can also learn about the natural links between insects and plants, via the various nectar-producing plants such as Ixora, Sambucus formosana Nakai, Helicoid-stamenal Parsonsia, Dutchman's Pipe (Aristolochia debilis), Pink Wampee (Clausena excavata) and Tetradium glabrifolium in the butterfly conservation area. Protected butterfly species here include the Grass Yellow Butterfly (Eurema blanda arsakia), Blue Tiger Butterfly (Tirumala limniace), Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio memnon heronus), Orange Oakleaf Butterfly (Kallima inachus) and others. Hiking trails and pavilions have also been built in this area.

Look but don't touch
The Da Keng Scenic Area management office also notes that butterflies are most active during the day. You will likely spot butterflies flitting between the flowers near the hiking trails after 9 a.m. On the other hand, the best time to admire fireflies is right after sunset, around 7 to 8 p.m., as these insects are less active after 9 p.m. While appreciating their beauty, you should be very quiet and not use a flashlight or camera flash to reduce distractions for the fireflies.

People should also treasure the benefits of conservation. Please do not take home any butterflies. And be on guard for possible encounters with poisonous snakes on hillsides, bringing an umbrella or stick to scare them off.

Come and enjoy the beauty of the butterflies and fireflies with your family, as you watch your children chase butterflies in the morning and seek out fireflies at night. Guided tours by the scenic area management office are available by reservation--call (04) 2239-4272, ext. 3.