Observation: Photinus dimissus
Primary Observer:
Alyssa Goforth
Event Date:
2024-08-26
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
Province/State:
Texas
Event Date:
2024-08-26
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:00
End Time:
22:30
Number of Observers:
5
Primary Observer:
Alyssa Goforth
Additional Observers:
Mary Dobberstine, Leda Parker, Nick Townes, Will Jones
Target Species Genus:
Pleotomus
Target Species Species:
unknown
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Forested Wetland - Swamp, cedar bog, mangrove
Habitat Type Notes:
The refuge borders Lake Anahuac. From the visitor center a long boardwalk takes you down to the lake overlook. The boardwalk trail takes you through bottomland hardwood forest full of oaks, hackberry, sweetgum, and pine. Before you reach the lake overlook, you pass through a cypress swamp.
Elevation (meters):
7.9
Area Searched (hectares):
6
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: No
Street Lights: No
Buildings: No
Street Lights: No
Buildings: No
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
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): No
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): No
Artificial Light Notes:
Observation
Observation Type:
Flashing
Number Observed:
2-10
Genus:
Photinus
Species:
dimissus
Observation Notes:
We surveyed along the Cypress Trail. The Cypress Trail meanders through bottomland hardwood forest full of oaks, hackberry, sweetgum, and pine. The trail ends at the edge of Lake Anahuac which is an artificial lake fed by the Trinity River. The trails takes you over the water and through a bald cypress swamp. The prime area of firefly flash activity was just under a hectare before the bridge to the bald cypress swamp. This female dismissus specimen was found just off trail at the border of a forested area near the bird blind. We observed a variety of species both in adult and larvae form in the area.
This dismissus firefly had a dim Bioluminescent glow also capable of a bright flash with a 5 second interval
Fully developed legs and antennae at 8mm long , 2 mm wide
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:00
Last Flash Time:
21:05
First Flash Temp (F):
82
Last Flash Temp (F):
82
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Green
Flash Pattern Period:
uncertain
Flash Duration:
uncertain
Flash Interval:
5
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft), High (over 8 ft)
Flash Location:
The prime area of firefly flash activity was just under a hectare before the bridge to the bald cypress swamp in the riparian forest area. This female dismissus specimen was found just off trail at the border of a forested area near the bird blind.
Male Flash Behavior:
No males were found during this survey. One was captured and photographed during a survey on June 7,2024. (NOTE: for male flash height zone was based on June 4 observation)
Female Flash Behavior:
This dismissus firefly had a dim Bioluminescent glow also capable of a bright flash with a 5 second interval
1 thought on “Observation: Photinus dimissus”
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Such a cool observation! Thanks for submitting.