Fireflies in Nanacamilpa, Tlaxcala.

Some spots of light are few, and others near you make the trees come to life at night. The small lights turn on and off must be something magical about this place.

Insects light the tiny points of light called the Macrolampis Palaciosi, the scientific name of the fireflies.

The forest has a different light at night, and it makes you feel like in a movie from Disney or one that makes you think that dreams are possible; there are always things that have a high impact on the lives of others, and they as minor bugs that light at night makes it feel so much worth it.

My interaction with fireflies started when I was a little child. I noticed small spots of lights at my home that turned on and off, so we asked our mother what those were, and she told us they were fireflies. My sister and I used to play with them, but at the same time, we tried to be careful with them.

We tried to grab them with long grass, but they didn’t move too much, so we didn’t bother them and just admired how they turned on and off; I didn’t know much about them.

So for me, it was something good to have in my own home, these little insects that make it feel like a special place in our own home.

We didn’t want to bother them so much because, at some point, their light was not intense, so we left them alone, and when we saw them again, we let them be in their environment. Unfortunately, the population didn’t grow so much, and the weather in our home was not suitable for them.

Nanacamilpa, Tlaxcala.

A long time had passed since I saw fireflies. When I started hearing about this town in the state of Tlaxcala, not far away from Mexico City, I wanted to visit this town and interact with fireflies again. The town is called Nanacamilpa, two hours driving and is faster nowadays taking the highway.

Nanacamilpa has been calling attention internationally. Others also have these insects, but Nanacamilpa is making an effort to know more about them, and their actions are paying tribute to the conservation of the insect.

The climate of the forest protects the fireflies, and the fireflies can reproduce well, so preserving trees are better for the fireflies.

The conservation is not only for the insects; they are making efforts to make the town more suitable for their needs and the insects that are now part of the town’s ecosystem and for the people that live here.

The town is known for the production of meat. Our guide Cesar told us that they work in the field and are the main product of some people. They also work in farming and different types of seeds.

The effort is that the primary income is to become a town that welcomes tourists from México and around the world. The people work between August and September, the best months to reproduce the fireflies.

The forest is more humid between June and August until September because it allows the insect to be more active, but the time to reproduce is also short. They dont intervene in insect reproduction; they educate tourists to protect them, which is why the insect could reproduce without much intervention.

Locals also work as tourist guides during the fireflies’ reproduction and work in the areas where fireflies breed.

How to arrive at Nanacamilpa.

Driving to the town of Nanacamilpa will take you some time. If you come from CDMX it will take you two and half hours if you are planning to be there because it is at night you can have the opportunity to be in a small hotel, and for the weekend it will be good because you can stay more time and enjoy the night in the forest.

There are several options to have a good rest, and you can have a different breakfast in the morning.

If you are driving in August and September, you have to be aware of the road because, during the months, you’ll find some potholes that the heavy rains have left.

When walling through the forest, a good jacket, and rain boots, remember to cover the lights of your smartphone or camera; insects are attracted by the light that your gadgets are making.

 

Conclusion.

I stayed there until 10 pm when the darkness surrounded us. We had an excellent opportunity to photograph some fireflies in the forest flying all around. I liked it with a group of photographers; it was different.

Just be aware that you are invading an ecosystem of a minor bug, and we are there just as observant; we have to be respectful of the cycle of life of the fireflies.

There are many good things; for two days to spend the day surrounded by forest and an experience that lights your soul is worth it. So be prepared and come to this town.