Fireflies

The river that runs through Kuala Selangor is home to a strange insect that resembles a small wasp but comes out only during the night. Instead of a painful sting at the tail end, this bug emits a yellow light from the abdomen which it uses in courtship behaviour. The phenomenon created by large numbers of these fireflies, flashing randomly along the river mangroves, has been been decribed as nature's very own Christmas lights.

Scientifically, the type of firefly found in Kuala Selangor belong to the Pteroptyx tener species. Similiar members can be found in lowland tropical rainforest to as high as the highlands, but usually, you will only find one or two individuals at a time. It is only here in Kuala Selangor that you find such large groups congregating together in a bright display of lights, much to the awe of visitors and tourists. The fireflies are only fond of one type of mangrove plant, which is the 'Berembang' tree or Sonneratia Caseolaris. The Berembang trees are one of many different types of vegetation that have adapted to life in a mangrove ecosystem. They grow in clumps along the edges of specific river sections. Two areas have been gazetted as firefly watching zones for tourists, namely Kampung Belimbing and Kampung Kuantan.

In the local language, fireflies are called 'kelip-kelip', which is a word play on their random flashing. During the day, they are hidden among the trees and plants in deep sleep. Once night sets in, usually at 8 pm, the fireflies will come out to play and mate for a few hours, retreating between 10-11 pm. On nights with full moons or under heavy rain, the fireflies will not come out at all. Ecologically, these bugs feed on the nectar found in the leaves of Berembang trees, which is why their preservation is essential for firefly conservation. Currently, damming projects and pollution upstream of the river threaten to inundate the mangroves and risk the extinction of fireflies. Consequently, whole livelihoods that depend on the tourism industry generated from firefly watching would be lost.

Kampung Belimbing is the closest destination to see fireflies from Kuala Selangor Town. It is located about 6 km away from Pasir Penambang through a small road fringed by oil palm plantations and traditional villages. There is a small resort, recreational park and restaurant in Kampung Belimbing which is privately owned. Visitors are ferried on boats driven by silent motors along the river for firefly watching. Tickets cost MYR15 per person.

Kampung Kuantan is another firefly watching location located further away from Kuala Selangor town, but closer for visitors coming from Sungai Buloh. This firefly watching stretch is alot quieter than Belimbing, with much less development. The mechanism for ferrying passengers is also a lot simpler, utilising traditional wooden boats called 'sampans' and pushed by hand oar. The government runs this place.

There is a small complex here which houses some souvenir and hawker stalls. Tickets here are priced much cheaper at MYR10 per person, but you need to charter a whole boat at once which takes 4 people at a go. If you don't mind the extra distance, as it is 12 km away from Pasir Penambang, then this location is a much more ideal spot for viewing fireflies.