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Observation: Pyractomena borealis
Primary Observer:
Ella gunter
Event Date:
2025-03-25
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
My home
Province/State:
South Carolina
Event Date:
2025-03-25
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:20
End Time:
21:12
Number of Observers:
2
Primary Observer:
Ella gunter
Additional Observers:
Robert Gunter
Target Species Genus:
unknown
Target Species Species:
unknown
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Woodland/Forest - Trees dominant, and in the over-story
Habitat Type Notes:
Some wet areas, receives water, drainage and stays wet most of the year. Mostly forested. Pine and oak are dominant with some understory growth.
Elevation (meters):
559
Area Searched (hectares):
1
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: No
Street Lights: Yes
Buildings: Yes
Street Lights: Yes
Buildings: Yes
Artificial Light Types
Sky Glow (diffuse illumination in the sky): Yes
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): Yes
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): No
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): Yes
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): No
Artificial Light Notes:
Some light from the house windows. A little street light from about 80 yards away (blocked by trees somewhat)
Observation
Observation Type:
Flashing
Number Observed:
11-50
Genus:
Pyractomena
Species:
borealis
Observation Notes:
Maybe about 3 inches long. Tended to stay high up in the canopy. Four seconds between flashes or longer. Periods of several flashes and then none. Light was greenish yellow.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
09:50
Last Flash Time:
21:50
First Flash Temp (F):
67
Last Flash Temp (F):
67
Flashes in Pattern:
4
Flash Color:
Green
Flash Pattern Period:
10
Flash Duration:
1
Flash Interval:
4
Male Height Zone:
High (over 8 ft)
Flash Location:
High up in the canopy
Male Flash Behavior:
Pattern of flashes, then extended rest.
Female Flash Behavior:
1 thought on “Observation: Pyractomena borealis”
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Thanks for submitting this observation!
While Pyractomena borealis (“spring treetop flasher”) flashes usually appear more amber or orange than greenish, this species is the only lightning bug that has adults flashing this early in the season in SC. Your description of 4 seconds between flashes fits pretty well with Pyractomena borealis’s flash pattern at 67 deg F.
While this species might give a few flashes and then pause for a bit, its flash pattern actually consists of single flashes, because that is the unit that consistently repeats. (In order to be a “four-flasher” the flashes would need to consistently come in sets of 4…)