Observation: Unknown

Observation: Unknown

Primary Observer:

Virginia Friedman

Event Date:

2025-05-30

Status:

Unreviewed

Survey

Site Name:

Mansfield, TX

Province/State:

Texas

Event Date:

2025-05-30

Time of Day:

Night-Time

Start Time:

20:30

End Time:

20:31

Number of Observers:

2

Primary Observer:

Virginia Friedman

Additional Observers:

Howard Friedman

Target Species Genus:

unknown

Target Species Species:

unknown

Location and Habitat

Location Accuracy (meters):

0-25

Habitat Type:

Woodland/Forest - Trees dominant, and in the over-story

Habitat Type Notes:

Tall Post Oaks, other oak trees, two young pecan trees, grasses, Mexican petunias plants, two big fig trees, many ferns planted in pots. An organic area with mostly mint plants and few rosemary plants. I like to keep the all the yard (back and front ) natural, there are no fertilizers or pesticides around.

Elevation (meters):

180 meters

Area Searched (hectares):

house back yard

Artificial Light Sources

Vehicles: No
Street Lights: No
Buildings: Yes

Artificial Light Types

Sky Glow (diffuse illumination in the sky): No
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): No
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): No

Artificial Light Notes:

Mansfield is not a rural area, but is by no means a a big city either ( it has 70,000 hab.). So there is not a lot of artificial lights around. Our back yard , where the few fireflies are seen every year is rather dark. I see them mostly the next days after the rain.

Observation

Observation Type:

Flashing

Number Observed:

2-10

Genus:

unknown

Species:

unknown

Observation Notes:

Appear to be flying around and flashing at the same time. Appear to cover large distances rapidly. They are not shy, they fly near us.

Specimen Voucher Number:

Flash Behavior

First Flash Time:

19:30

Last Flash Time:

19:33

First Flash Temp (F):

around 80 F

Last Flash Temp (F):

around 80 F

Flashes in Pattern:

1

Flash Color:

Yellow

Flash Pattern Period:

unknown

Flash Duration:

about 3 seconds

Flash Interval:

15 seconds

Male Height Zone:

Moderate (3-8 ft)

Flash Location:

flash is fast, one here one there. They seem to fly fast.

Male Flash Behavior:

unknown

Female Flash Behavior:

unknown

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