Observation: Pyractomena ecostata

Observation: Pyractomena ecostata

Primary Observer:

Richard Joyce

Event Date:

2025-04-22

Status:

Verified

Survey

Site Name:

Sink Creek Rd. boat launch, Jena Unit, Big Bend WMA

Province/State:

Florida

Event Date:

2025-04-22

Time of Day:

Night-Time

Start Time:

20:12

End Time:

22:56

Number of Observers:

3

Primary Observer:

Richard Joyce

Additional Observers:

Jonathan Mays, David Cook

Target Species Genus:

Micronaspis

Target Species Species:

floridana

Location and Habitat

Location Accuracy (meters):

250-500

Habitat Type:

Tidal Marsh - Salt marsh or brackish marsh

Habitat Type Notes:

In addition to the salt marsh (dominated by black needlerush, but with a few black mangrove plants), we surveyed in mesic flatwoods. This upland habitat had an overstory of slash pine, a mid-story of cabbage palmettos, and an understory of saw palmetto and various shrubs and herbs, including wax myrtle, eastern red cedar, goldenrod, and shiny blueberry.

Elevation (meters):

0.5

Area Searched (hectares):

2.2

Artificial Light Sources

Vehicles: No
Street Lights: No
Buildings: No

Artificial Light Types

Sky Glow (diffuse illumination in the sky): Yes
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:

50+

Genus:

Pyractomena

Species:

ecostata

Observation Notes:

Adult male measured about 15 mm. Interestingly, all display activity was happening in the flatwoods along Sink Creek Road, not over the black needlerush marsh.

Specimen Voucher Number:

Flash Behavior

First Flash Time:

21:08

Last Flash Time:

22:30

First Flash Temp (F):

74

Last Flash Temp (F):

74

Flashes in Pattern:

1

Flash Color:

Green

Flash Pattern Period:

9

Flash Duration:

0.8

Flash Interval:

8.2

Male Height Zone:

Moderate (3-8 ft), High (over 8 ft)

Flash Location:

Mostly in the midstory and understory of the flatwoods, at heights ranging from chest height to over head height.

Male Flash Behavior:

Long, very bright flashes repeated at long periods (8-10 seconds) at 74 deg F.

Female Flash Behavior:

Not observed.

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