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Observation: Pyractomena dispersa
Primary Observer:
Candace Fallon
Event Date:
2025-06-10
Status:
Unreviewed
Survey
Site Name:
FR 249 spring
Province/State:
Arizona
Event Date:
2025-06-10
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:17
End Time:
21:04
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:
Open wet meadow in ponderosa pine high elevation forest.
Elevation (meters):
2718
Area Searched (hectares):
0.31
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 glare from vehicle passing on nearby road.
Observation
Observation Type:
Flashing
Number Observed:
11-50
Genus:
Pyractomena
Species:
dispersa
Observation Notes:
Approximately 30 fireflies observed. Flashing dropping off around 8:45pm when the moon broke free of the clouds, but then resumed when it was hidden again ten minutes later. Fireflies were still flashing when we ended the survey and left the site.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
20:17
Last Flash Time:
21:04
First Flash Temp (F):
69.6
Last Flash Temp (F):
65.9
Flashes in Pattern:
3
Flash Color:
Orange
Flash Pattern Period:
3-4
Flash Duration:
<0.5
Flash Interval:
2-3
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft), High (over 8 ft)
Flash Location:
Males cruising about 3-5 feet above meadow, some going even higher as the night wore on. It appeared that some males also stayed perched on vegetation rather than flying.
Male Flash Behavior:
Males typically displayed 3-4 flashes in each flash pattern. It looked like this: flash, flash, fla-flash. The last flash would dim and then re-brighten without going out completely. A very wiggly flash pattern with males zigzagging all over.
Female Flash Behavior:
Dim response flashes.
