Observation: Pyractomena

Observation: Pyractomena

Primary Observer:

Anna Walker

Event Date:

2023-07-24

Status:

Unreviewed

Survey

Site Name:

Holy Ghost Campground, Pecos Wilderness

Province/State:

New Mexico

Event Date:

2023-07-24

Time of Day:

Night-Time

Start Time:

20:27

End Time:

21:58

Number of Observers:

2

Primary Observer:

Anna Walker

Additional Observers:

Clay Meredith

Target Species Genus:

Pyractomena

Target Species Species:

angulata

Location and Habitat

Location Accuracy (meters):

0-25

Habitat Type:

Riparian - Areas Along lake or stream

Habitat Type Notes:

Montane stream in conifer woodland. Forest tree species include aspen, Douglas fir, and a few spruce species. There are also large gamble oaks, brambles, grasses and forbs in the clearing/ campsite. Along stream vegetation is quite thick and includes choke cherry and other unknown large shrubs. A few log jams (possibly due to beavers?) are creating slower moving sections of stream.

Elevation (meters):

2512

Area Searched (hectares):

18.5

Artificial Light Sources

Vehicles: No
Street Lights: No
Buildings: No
None

Artificial Light Types

Sky Glow (diffuse illumination in the sky): No
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): No
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): No

Artificial Light Notes:

Very dark. Sits is fairly remote National Forest campground.

Observation

Observation Type:

Flashing

Number Observed:

2-10

Genus:

Pyractomena

Species:

unknown

Observation Notes:

Saw around 7 individuals. Two individuals caught were males.

Specimen Voucher Number:

Flash Behavior

First Flash Time:

21:10

Last Flash Time:

21:58

First Flash Temp (F):

60

Last Flash Temp (F):

55

Flashes in Pattern:

1

Flash Color:

Orange

Flash Pattern Period:

NA

Flash Duration:

NA

Flash Interval:

NA

Male Height Zone:

Moderate (3-8 ft)

Flash Location:

All fireflies were flashing from vegetation. A few were in grass or shrubs at knee height, and a few were in trees along the stream or in gamble oak in meadow.

Male Flash Behavior:

Actual courtship flash not observed. From vegetation, males were putting off a half second flicker flash at irregular long intervals (7-13 seconds between flashes).

Female Flash Behavior:

Not observed.

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This is a project of the Xerces Society, working in collaboration with the IUCN SSC Firefly Specialist Group and New Mexico BioPark Society.

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