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Observation: Pyractomena dispersa
Primary Observer:
Pam Morgan
Event Date:
2025-05-05
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
Bentonville near SW Elm Tree Rd
Province/State:
Arkansas
Event Date:
2025-05-05
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
21:05
End Time:
22:00
Number of Observers:
2
Primary Observer:
Pam Morgan
Additional Observers:
Clint Morgan
Target Species Genus:
unknown
Target Species Species:
unknown
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
25-50
Habitat Type:
Grassland/Meadow - Meadow, open, grasses dominant
Habitat Type Notes:
Horse pasture / field. Grass dominant, with some wildflowers. Dogbane coming up right now. Field is bordered by trees, then houses. Trees are sassafras, black cherry, elm, hackberry, red cedar and some invasives including Bradford pear. The tree border has an overgrown shrubby/vine layer, including grapevines, multiflora rose, green briar, and blackberries.
Elevation (meters):
351
Area Searched (hectares):
.2
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:
The field is bordered by houses, some of which have their porch lights on. When a car enters the street (not very often), its headlights shine into the field. There is a streetlight about 50 meters from the field and its light shines into part of the field.
Observation
Observation Type:
Flashing
Number Observed:
11-50
Genus:
Pyractomena
Species:
dispersa
Observation Notes:
12 mm long, males were flying low above the grass (2 - 6 ft), sometimes flying/flashing in straight lines, sometimes flying downward, sometimes in a curving flight (up, down, or sideways). Females (I assume) were brighter from the grass.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:05
Last Flash Time:
22:00
First Flash Temp (F):
64
Last Flash Temp (F):
64
Flashes in Pattern:
>4
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
4
Flash Duration:
1
Flash Interval:
3
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Low over the grass in the middle of the field.
Male Flash Behavior:
3 to 5 quick pulses (flicker flash?), lasting about 1 second, with 3 seconds in between. There weren't too many (maybe 20 males), so it was easy to follow each one as it flashed. Flashing was fairly faint.
Female Flash Behavior:
Several flashes from the grass, which I assume were females. The flash was brighter than the male. Usually 2 to 3 flashes, stationary from the grass.
1 thought on “Observation: Pyractomena dispersa”
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Thanks for this data submission! The time of year, flash pattern, and habitat all seem to be a good match with Pyractomena dispersa, so I have added that as a preliminary ID. The pronotum has a bit more black on the margins that I would expect for this species, but Green’s key and other source acknowledge that some individuals have these markings. Did you happen to get photos of multiple individuals?