Visitors will enjoy a spectacular light display from tiny larvae when they visit Dismals Canyon in Alabama. This fascinating phenomenon occurs only twice a year.
Dismals Canyon is a sandstone gorge located in northern Alabama, USA. This National Natural Landmark is famous for its shimmering moss and stone pathways that resemble a labyrinth. However, the true wonder of Dismals Canyon is not visible during the day. When the sun sets, tiny worms known as dismalites emit a blue bioluminescent glow. (Photo: Dismals Canyon).
Bioluminescent worms in Dismals Canyon are the larval stage of a native fungus gnat species called Orfelia fultoni, which is endemic to North America. They are closely related to bioluminescent worms found in Australia and New Zealand, living in damp, moss-covered caves, ideal for creating webs to catch prey. The dismalite emits blue and green light from both its head and tail to attract its prey, which is often the Alabama mosquito. (Photo: Eric C. Maxwell).
At Dismals Canyon, the population of dismalites peaks when the larvae hatch during two times of the year: late spring (mid-April to mid-May) and early fall (mid-September to October). During these times, they create a brilliant light display. Biologist Slappey-McCaffrey notes that the humid climate of Dismals Canyon is perfect for the survival of bioluminescent worms. (Photo: Great Vehicles News).
However, not all bioluminescent organisms thrive like the bioluminescent worms in Dismals Canyon. According to the March 2020 issue of the journal Conservation and Insect Diversity, the number of bioluminescent worms has decreased by three-quarters between 2001 and 2018 due to climate change. Another study by the Royal Society of London found that artificial light pollution affects the glow of female bioluminescent worms. (Photo: livingonthedirt).
Additionally, light pollution significantly impacts bioluminescent animals, especially those found on land. Increased exposure to artificial light from human activities can disrupt the timing and change the locations of bioluminescent species. Therefore, even a small change can disrupt the biological structure in Dismals Canyon, potentially causing this natural wonder to disappear forever. (Photo: Flickr).
When visiting Dismals Canyon, besides taking a night tour to witness the light display of dismalites, visitors can explore the old-growth forest. This is a great site to discover Witches’ Cave and Temple Cave, which were used by ancient people for sacred rituals and community gatherings about 10,000 years ago. (Photo: Pinterest).
