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Observation: Pyractomena dispersa
Primary Observer:
Candace Fallon
Event Date:
2025-06-09
Status:
Unreviewed
Survey
Site Name:
Alpine Divide Campground
Province/State:
Arizona
Event Date:
2025-06-09
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
19:35
End Time:
21:00
Number of Observers:
2
Primary Observer:
Candace Fallon
Additional Observers:
Saff Killingsworth
Target Species Genus:
Pyractomena
Target Species Species:
dispersa
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Grassland/Meadow - Meadow, open, grasses dominant
Habitat Type Notes:
Small wet meadow fed by nearby spring in ponderosa pine forest. Dominant plants in meadow included sedges and Carex spp.
Elevation (meters):
2588
Area Searched (hectares):
1.0
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): No
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): No
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): Yes
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): No
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): Yes
Artificial Light Notes:
Occasional light from vehicles passing on nearby highway.
Observation
Observation Type:
Flashing
Number Observed:
11-50
Genus:
Pyractomena
Species:
dispersa
Observation Notes:
Approximately 30 fireflies observed flashing.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
19:54
Last Flash Time:
21:00
First Flash Temp (F):
64
Last Flash Temp (F):
62.3
Flashes in Pattern:
3
Flash Color:
Orange
Flash Pattern Period:
Not recorded
Flash Duration:
Not recorded
Flash Interval:
Not recorded
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft)
Flash Location:
Most flashes occurred near the ground on vegetation but some individuals were flying low.
Male Flash Behavior:
Males emitted pulses of light that didn't quite go dark before the next one started. Flash patterns consisted of 3 to 4 flashes. The last flash in each flash pattern was more drawn out than the ones preceding it. Every now and then all the perched fireflies seemed to pulse at once. Flash pattern period, flash duration, and flash interval were not recorded because very few individuals were flying. However, flashes were extremely quick, a fraction of a second, and all 3-4 flashes occurred in less than a second. Intervals ranged from 2-3 seconds.
Female Flash Behavior:
Weak pulses, sometimes remaining lit for extended periods of time. Appeared less bright than male flashes.
