Observation: Bicellonycha wickershamorum

Observation: Bicellonycha wickershamorum

Primary Observer:

Emily Perkins

Event Date:

2025-08-04

Status:

Unverified

Survey

Site Name:

Upper Garden Canyon Picnic Area

Province/State:

Arizona

Event Date:

2025-08-04

Time of Day:

Night-Time

Start Time:

19:35

End Time:

19:38

Number of Observers:

3

Primary Observer:

Emily Perkins

Additional Observers:

Christine Perkins, Robert Perkins

Target Species Genus:

 

Target Species Species:

 

Location and Habitat

Location Accuracy (meters):

0-25

Habitat Type:

 

Habitat Type Notes:

 

Elevation (meters):

1600

Area Searched (hectares):

 

Artificial Light Sources

Vehicles: Yes
Street Lights: No
Buildings: No

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:

 

Observation

Observation Type:

Flashing

Number Observed:

11-50

Genus:

Bicellonycha

Species:

wickershamorum

Observation Notes:

 

Specimen Voucher Number:

Flash Behavior

First Flash Time:

19:34

Last Flash Time:

19:38

First Flash Temp (F):

90

Last Flash Temp (F):

90

Flashes in Pattern:

1

Flash Color:

Yellow

Flash Pattern Period:

3

Flash Duration:

1

Flash Interval:

2

Male Height Zone:

Low (0-3 ft)

Flash Location:

Tall grasses near the picnic area

Male Flash Behavior:

 

Female Flash Behavior:

 

1 thought on “Observation: Bicellonycha wickershamorum”

  1. Thank you for submitting this observation, Emily! These fireflies were most likely the southwest spring firefly (Bicellonycha wickershamorum) based on the early evening display time, the flash pattern description, and the location being a known site for this species.

    I am going to leave the observation status as “unverified” because it’s hard to know for sure without a photo of the firefly in hand. The sky island firefly (Photuris falli) has also been recorded in Cochise County, so that is also a possibility, though less likely.

Leave a Comment

Connect

Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates.

Follow

Follow the Xerces Society.

Share

Share this page.

Support

Support the Xerces Society's conservation work.

This is a project of the Xerces Society, working in collaboration with the IUCN SSC Firefly Specialist Group and New Mexico BioPark Society.

Copyright © 2025 The Xerces Society •1631 NE Broadway Street, #821 • Portland OR 97232 USA