Observation: Unknown

Observation: Unknown

Primary Observer:

Carl Manthey

Event Date:

2025-08-09

Status:

Unverified

Survey

Site Name:

Great Marsh, Elverson, PA

Province/State:

Pennsylvania

Event Date:

2025-08-09

Time of Day:

Night-Time

Start Time:

20:00

End Time:

21:30

Number of Observers:

5

Primary Observer:

Carl Manthey

Additional Observers:

Myrna Villanueva, Melinda Villanueva, Diana Cormack, Meredith Heffner

Target Species Genus:

unknown

Target Species Species:

unknown

Location and Habitat

Location Accuracy (meters):

500-1000

Habitat Type:

Open Freshwater Wetland - Wetland Bog, fen, freshwater marsh

Habitat Type Notes:

 

Elevation (meters):

150 - 200

Area Searched (hectares):

6

Artificial Light Sources

Vehicles: No
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:

2-10

Genus:

unknown

Species:

unknown

Observation Notes:

 

Specimen Voucher Number:

Flash Behavior

First Flash Time:

21:10

Last Flash Time:

21:20

First Flash Temp (F):

71

Last Flash Temp (F):

71

Flashes in Pattern:

1

Flash Color:

Yellow

Flash Pattern Period:

long

Flash Duration:

<0.5 sec

Flash Interval:

long

Male Height Zone:

Moderate (3-8 ft)

Flash Location:

Over a large marshy area with perennials, cattails and reeds. Less than 5 feet over the vegetation.

Male Flash Behavior:

Looking over this marshy area we saw about a dozen flashes (yellow-orange) that were snappy in marked contrast to the slow flashes of the big dipper fireflies active and observed elsewhere. The flashes were about 25-50 yards away accounting for our inability to capture and photograph a specimen. The fireflies seemed to flash once and disappear so we were unable to determine a flash interval.

Female Flash Behavior:

 

1 thought on “Observation: Unknown”

  1. This is an intriguing observation! Based on the wetland habitat and the yellow-orange color of the flashes, I wonder if this could be in the Pyractomena genus.

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