Observation: Pyractomena angulata
Primary Observer:
Brandie Dunn
Event Date:
2025-06-20
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
BF
Province/State:
Illinois
Event Date:
2025-06-20
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:35
End Time:
22:00
Number of Observers:
2
Primary Observer:
Brandie Dunn
Additional Observers:
Sylvia Dunn
Target Species Genus:
unknown
Target Species Species:
unknown
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Open Freshwater Wetland - Wetland Bog, fen, freshwater marsh
Habitat Type Notes:
We observed activity in and around the fen, as well as in and along the neighboring forest edge.
Elevation (meters):
820
Area Searched (hectares):
.166
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: Yes
Street Lights: No
Buildings: 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
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:
11-50
Genus:
Pyractomena
Species:
angulata
Observation Notes:
13 mm, reddish-amber flicker flash with a candle-like appearance. There were several individuals along the path, as you entered the oak woodlands from the more open wetland/fen area. They were moving horizontally when flicker-flashing. Some were at eye-level, while others were within 5 or so feet higher.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:12
Last Flash Time:
22:00
First Flash Temp (F):
70
Last Flash Temp (F):
75
Flashes in Pattern:
>4
Flash Color:
Orange
Flash Pattern Period:
4
Flash Duration:
.2
Flash Interval:
.2
Male Height Zone:
Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
There were several individuals I encountered on the forest edge trail, that were at eye-level, but most were above that. The flicker-flash had a dim appearance compared to other flashing species observed. They were observed outside of the forest edge, but definitely seemed to be more concentrated inside the forest edge.
Male Flash Behavior:
The first one I observed was perched on top of tall dry vegetation, dimly flickering. Then we started noticing more in flight with a distinct orangey, low-intensity color that dotted the scene.
Female Flash Behavior:
1 thought on “Observation: Pyractomena angulata”
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Nice job documenting these candle fireflies! They are often not that easy to catch!
Flicker flashes like those of Pyractomena angulata do not fit very well into our flash pattern measurements/terminology. While the flicker is technically made up of many brief pulses emitted very closely together, for our purposes it’s also okay to treat the flicker as one modulated flash. In this case, the flash pattern period (4 seconds) is the most useful measurement. No need to change what you’ve entered, but I wanted to let you know that it’s okay not to try to estimate those very quick time measurements!