Observation: Photinus consimilis

Observation: Photinus consimilis

Primary Observer:

Richard Joyce

Event Date:

2022-05-30

Status:

Verified

Survey

Site Name:

Sandy Creek Nature Center, Claypit Pond

Province/State:

Georgia

Event Date:

2022-05-30

Time of Day:

Night-Time

Start Time:

20:50

End Time:

23:18

Number of Observers:

1

Primary Observer:

Richard Joyce

Additional Observers:

NA

Target Species Genus:

Photuris

Target Species Species:

forresti

Location and Habitat

Location Accuracy (meters):

50-100

Habitat Type:

Open Freshwater Wetland - Wetland Bog, fen, freshwater marsh

Habitat Type Notes:

Wetland along Sandy Creek at inlet to the Claypit Pond. Mix of marsh and floodplain with herbaceous ground layer (sedges, grasses), bare mud, and some canopy trees (red maple). In the pond there was yellow pond lily plants (Nuphar).

Elevation (meters):

188

Area Searched (hectares):

0.75

Artificial Light Sources

Vehicles: Yes
Street Lights: No
Buildings: No

Artificial Light Types

Sky Glow (diffuse illumination in the sky): Yes
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): No
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): Yes

Artificial Light Notes:

Minimal artificial light, though some sky glow and glare from vehicle headlights. Trees screened the vehicle headlights pretty well.

Observation

Observation Type:

Flashing

Number Observed:

1

Genus:

Photinus

Species:

consimilis

Observation Notes:

Caught this Photinus over the muddy, marshy floodplain thinking that it was a Photuris forresti, as it was emitting a rapid flash-train while flying upward at about chest height (4-5 feet).

Specimen Voucher Number:

Flash Behavior

First Flash Time:

22:35

Last Flash Time:

22:35

First Flash Temp (F):

67

Last Flash Temp (F):

67

Flashes in Pattern:

4

Flash Color:

Yellow

Flash Pattern Period:

Not observed

Flash Duration:

Unable to measure

Flash Interval:

Less than a second.

Male Height Zone:

Moderate (3-8 ft)

Flash Location:

Flying upward at about chest height (4-5 ft) over the semi-shaded, muddy floodplain west of Sandy Creek.

Male Flash Behavior:

I did not record precise details for this rapidly flashing firefly, as I caught it thinking it was a Photuris forresti, but it emitted a fast pulse of multiple (at least three) flashes while flying upward.

Female Flash Behavior:

Not observed.

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

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