Observation: Photuris douglasae

Observation: Photuris douglasae

Primary Observer:

Elizabeth Shultz

Event Date:

2025-08-03

Status:

Unverified

Survey

Site Name:

Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge Wings Marsh

Province/State:

Florida

Event Date:

2025-08-03

Time of Day:

Night-Time

Start Time:

20:40

End Time:

22:45

Number of Observers:

9

Primary Observer:

Elizabeth Shultz

Additional Observers:

Val Hahn, Rochelle Hood, Natalie Al-Shihabi, Joan Tague, Chelsea LeNoble, John Van Bergen, Christine, Michelle Wilbur

Target Species Genus:

unknown

Target Species Species:

unknown

Location and Habitat

Location Accuracy (meters):

25-50

Habitat Type:

Open Freshwater Wetland - Wetland Bog, fen, freshwater marsh

Habitat Type Notes:

Observers stayed on elevated path that was bordered by the marsh. A lot of saltmarsh mallow, southern live oak trees on elevated area of path, swamp dock, leafy bladderwort, scarlet rose mallow has been observed here, alligator flag

Elevation (meters):

20

Area Searched (hectares):

50

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:

50+

Genus:

Photuris

Species:

douglasae

Observation Notes:

There were more than 50 fireflies, but fewer fireflies than the last survey on July 22.

Specimen Voucher Number:

Flash Behavior

First Flash Time:

21:00

Last Flash Time:

22:45

First Flash Temp (F):

81

Last Flash Temp (F):

81

Flashes in Pattern:

1

Flash Color:

Yellow

Flash Pattern Period:

3

Flash Duration:

.1

Flash Interval:

3 seconds

Male Height Zone:

Moderate (3-8 ft)

Flash Location:

Over a freshwater marsh

Male Flash Behavior:

 

Female Flash Behavior:

 

1 thought on “Observation: Photuris douglasae”

  1. Thanks for this firefly observation! Based on the ~11 mm length, the moderate darkness of the hind coxae, the wetland habitat, and the time of year (late summer), I am tentatively identifying this as Photuris douglasae. Other species of similar size and hind coxae coloration have more distinctive flash patterns, such as flickers in Photuris stanleyi, crescendo flashes in Photuris Photuris carrorum, and groups of flashes in Photuris sivinskii.

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