Kuala Lumpur to Fireflies and Blue Tears Gazing Tour

The firefly is a type of insect from the beetle family. The ‘Pteroptyx tener’ species is the most dominant in Kuala Selangor, measuring about 5mm in length.

At night, these tiny insects congregate on berembang trees (Sonneratia caseolaris), a type of mangrove tree that grows naturally in the brackish waters along Selangor River’s banks.

They usually become active at dusk (unless it rains) and while congregating, each firefly displays flashes emitted from its abdomen. The males’ flashes are brighter so as to attract the females, and in the case of the Pteroptyx tener, their flashing is synchronized, which is rare in other firefly species.