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Observation: Photuris forresti
Primary Observer:
Richard Joyce
Event Date:
2025-05-22
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
Georgia State Botanical Garden
Province/State:
Georgia
Event Date:
2025-05-22
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:34
End Time:
22:05
Number of Observers:
19
Primary Observer:
Richard Joyce
Additional Observers:
Various participants from GA DNR, GSB and UGA.
Target Species Genus:
Photuris
Target Species Species:
forresti
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
25-50
Habitat Type:
Woodland/Forest - Trees dominant, and in the over-story
Habitat Type Notes:
The surveyed habitats included both hardwood forest and open herbaceous wetland.
Elevation (meters):
165
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): Yes
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): Yes
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): Yes
Artificial Light Notes:
Unshielded light posts in the garden cast a lot of light trespass and glare into the natural habitat.
Observation
Observation Type:
Flashing
Number Observed:
11-50
Genus:
Photuris
Species:
forresti
Observation Notes:
Most individuals caught were female, emitting flash trains of quick flash trains. Female flash trains were emitted while flying in a more horizontal trajectory than male flash patterns. Dark hind coxae and dark elytra.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:30
Last Flash Time:
22:05
First Flash Temp (F):
73
Last Flash Temp (F):
72
Flashes in Pattern:
>4
Flash Color:
Green
Flash Pattern Period:
Not recorded
Flash Duration:
Not recorded, but quick
Flash Interval:
Not recorded, but ~0.5 seconds
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Mostly over the freshwater emergent wetland.
Male Flash Behavior:
Bobbing flash patterns of 5-7 pulses, with a flash pattern period of 5 seconds or more.
Female Flash Behavior:
Flash trains emitted while flying over wetland vegetation, similar in appearance to Photinus consimilis. These were likely hunting flash patterns, not courtship communication.
