Observation: Photuris
Primary Observer:
Richard Joyce
Event Date:
2023-06-14
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
Leonard Springs Nature Park
Province/State:
Indiana
Event Date:
2023-06-14
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
21:06
End Time:
23:59
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
Richard Joyce
Additional Observers:
NA
target_species_genus:
photuris
target_species_species:
walldoxeyi
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Open Freshwater Wetland - Wetland Bog, fen, freshwater marsh
Habitat Type Notes:
The focal habitat of the survey was an open wetland in the basin of a drained impoundment that briefly supplied water to Bloomington during the first half of the 20th century. The habitat was dominated by herbaceous vegetation, including reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), with some Asteraceae forbs, mountain mint (Pycnanthemum sp), and cattails. Woody vegetation included willows and sycamore. The basin fed by a stream that originates from a spring at the top of a steep limestone slope. These slopes are vegetated with hardwood forest, with species such as pawpaw, hickory, tulip poplar, and oak.
Elevation (meters):
205
Area Searched (hectares):
1.2
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: No
Street Lights: No
Buildings: No
Planes
Street Lights: No
Buildings: No
Planes
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): No
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): No
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): No
Artificial Light Notes:
Sky glow was accentuated by the overcast conditions, and is apparent in the flash pattern long exposure images.
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
11-50
genus:
photuris
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
The long exposure/live composite image of flash patterns captures 3 minutes worth of 15-second exposures and the flickering glow is visible in the foreground on the left side. Body length is ~13 mm.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:42
Last Flash Time:
23:09
First Flash Temp (F):
67.8
Last Flash Temp (F):
65.8
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Green
Flash Pattern Period:
4-5.5
Flash Duration:
1
Flash Interval:
3-4
Male Height Zone:
Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Slow (~1 second) flickering glows over the herbaceous vegetation downstream of the beaver dam. Described as "chest high" in voice recordings.
Male Flash Behavior:
In the moment, I described the flashes as "falling glows," "descending glows," "vibrating, dropping," "longer glow flicker type flashes."
One second, flickering glows repeated every 4-5 seconds at about 66 deg F.
Female Flash Behavior:
Not observed.
1 thought on “Observation: Photuris”
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Perhaps something in Lloyd’s “Penn Group 2”?