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Observation: Pyractomena borealis
Primary Observer:
Beth Ozbun
Event Date:
2025-03-29
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
IRWP
Province/State:
Arkansas
Event Date:
2025-03-29
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:10
End Time:
21:35
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
Beth Ozbun
Additional Observers:
NA
Target Species Genus:
Pyractomena
Target Species Species:
borealis
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Woodland/Forest - Trees dominant, and in the over-story
Habitat Type Notes:
Public use area. Cave and spring that is the headwaters for the Illinois River. The cave discharges onto a small flat plain and has wooded hills/slops on 3 sides. The water follows an old fish run and collects is a small reservoir.
Elevation (meters):
434.93
Area Searched (hectares):
.72
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: Yes
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): Yes
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): Yes
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): Yes
Artificial Light Notes:
Buildings and streetlights across the street from the IRWP sanctuary.
Observation
Observation Type:
Flashing
Number Observed:
2-10
Genus:
Pyractomena
Species:
borealis
Observation Notes:
Mid to high in location, observed flying between the branches of trees ,
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
20:40
Last Flash Time:
21:30
First Flash Temp (F):
72
Last Flash Temp (F):
68
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Green
Flash Pattern Period:
2
Flash Duration:
.3
Flash Interval:
1.5
Male Height Zone:
High (over 8 ft)
Flash Location:
Flashes were seen near the upper trunks and branches of the trees on the hills. (The hills that face south).
Male Flash Behavior:
Female Flash Behavior:
1 thought on “Observation: Pyractomena borealis”
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Based on the early season timing, the habitat description, and the flash behavior, I feel good about confirming this as Pyractomena borealis, even without a photo of the insect in hand (hard to catch when when they’re so high up!).
The flash pattern period (2 seconds) does seem a little bit short compared to what is report in Faust 2017 (3.6 seconds at 68 F), but not dramatically different.