Observation: Photinus macdermotti
Primary Observer:
Richard Joyce
Event Date:
2023-05-23
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
Province/State:
South Carolina
Event Date:
2023-05-23
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:30
End Time:
22:45
Number of Observers:
2
Primary Observer:
Richard Joyce
Additional Observers:
Lynn Faust
target_species_genus:
photinus
target_species_species:
acuminatus
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Riparian - Areas Along lake or stream
Habitat Type Notes:
Shrubby bog along shoreline of Wattacoo Lake. Plants included chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia), Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica), red maple (Acer rubrum), smooth alder (Alnus serrulata), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), mountain sweet pitcher plant (Sarracenia jonesii), sphagnum moss, and sweetgum.
Elevation (meters):
340
Area Searched (hectares):
0.3
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: No
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): No
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): No
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): No
Artificial Light Notes:
No appreciable Artificial Light at Night. The mostly clear skies and partial moonlight likely made sky glow less noticeable.
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
2-10
genus:
photinus
Species:
macdermotti
Observation Notes:
Body length about 10 mm.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
20:53
Last Flash Time:
21:15
First Flash Temp (F):
63
Last Flash Temp (F):
60
Flashes in Pattern:
2
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
6.5
Flash Duration:
<0.5
Flash Interval:
2.8
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
In the upland forest understory and over the meadow, but not over the shrubby lakeside vegetation.
Male Flash Behavior:
Double flash pattern with a flash period of about 3.2, and a dark phase of 3.4 between the pairs. At this temperature (low 60s), the spacing between the flashes almost seemed like a single flash pattern.
Female Flash Behavior:
Not observed
