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Observation: Photinus pyralis
Primary Observer:
M. Puglissi
Event Date:
2025-07-09
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
Commack 1
Province/State:
New York
Event Date:
2025-07-09
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:30
End Time:
20:35
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
M. Puglissi
Additional Observers:
NA
Target Species Genus:
Photinus
Target Species Species:
pyralis
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Developed - Sub/urban areas; parks/gardens
Habitat Type Notes:
Elevation (meters):
40
Area Searched (hectares):
.25
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: No
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:
50+
Genus:
Photinus
Species:
pyralis
Observation Notes:
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
20:20
Last Flash Time:
20:25
First Flash Temp (F):
unknown
Last Flash Temp (F):
unknown
Flashes in Pattern:
>4
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
2
Flash Duration:
2
Flash Interval:
2
Male Height Zone:
Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Many Fireflies - Different levels of Flashes. I will take a video and submit it
Male Flash Behavior:
Many Fireflies - Different levels of Flashes. I will take a video and submit it
Female Flash Behavior:
Many Fireflies - Different levels of Flashes. I will take a video and submit it
1 thought on “Observation: Photinus pyralis”
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Thank you for submitting this firefly observation! The big dipper (Photinus pyralis) would certainly be the most common species expected in this area and habitat type. The early evening display time and the yellow flash color (as opposed to green) also fit well with Photinus pyralis. However, other flashing firefly species are found in this area, so it is hard to ID with certainty without photos of the firefly.
A note about flash pattern terminology:
“Flash pattern period” refers to the number of seconds between the start of a flash pattern and the start of the next repetition of that flash pattern. For example, Photinus pyralis typically has a flash pattern period of 5-7 seconds.
“Flash duration” is how long each flash lasts. Usually this is too fast to measure accurately, but you can estimate whether it is more or less than 0.5 seconds, you can enter “not recorded,” or you can do a verbal description (such as “very brief”).
“Flash interval” refers to the time between the end of one flash and the beginning of the next. In species with single flash patterns and short flash durations, this is basically the same as “flash pattern period,” just a little shorter.