Observation: Photuris salina

Observation: Photuris salina

Primary Observer:

Richard Joyce

Event Date:

2023-07-10

Status:

Verified

Survey

Site Name:

Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge- headquarters high marsh

Province/State:

New Jersey

Event Date:

2023-07-10

Time of Day:

Night-Time

Start Time:

20:37

End Time:

23:18

Number of Observers:

5

Primary Observer:

Richard Joyce

Additional Observers:

Kass Urban-Mead, Nate Kleinman, Jack McDonough, Jamie Ngo

target_species_genus:

pyractomena

target_species_species:

ecostata

Location and Habitat

Location Accuracy (meters):

0-25

Habitat Type:

Tidal Marsh - Salt marsh or brackish marsh

Habitat Type Notes:

High salt marsh with Spartina alterniflora, Spartina patens, and strips of Phragmites australis (at the highest elevations).

Elevation (meters):

0.75

Area Searched (hectares):

0.5

Artificial Light Sources

Vehicles: No
Street Lights: No
Buildings: Yes

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:

Significant sky glow and glare from urban areas on the horizon, particularly Atlantic City. The habitat itself was free from light trespass.

Observation

Observation Type:

With Flash Data

Number Observed:

11-50

genus:

photuris

Species:

salina

Observation Notes:

 

Specimen Voucher Number:

Flash Behavior

First Flash Time:

21:01

Last Flash Time:

23:00

First Flash Temp (F):

77

Last Flash Temp (F):

71

Flashes in Pattern:

1

Flash Color:

Green

Flash Pattern Period:

1.7

Flash Duration:

Not recorded

Flash Interval:

Not recorded

Male Height Zone:

Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft)

Flash Location:

Over the high marsh and along the Phragmites at the high tide line. Had pale hind coxae and hourglass-shaped pronotal markings.

Male Flash Behavior:

Quick, greenish yellow flashes every ~1.7 seconds.

Female Flash Behavior:

Not observed.

Leave a Comment

Connect

Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates.

Follow

Follow the Xerces Society.

Share

Share this page.

Support

Support the Xerces Society's conservation work.

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

Copyright © 2026 The Xerces Society •1631 NE Broadway Street, #821 • Portland OR 97232 USA
Firefly logo by Ink Dwell studio; © 2020 Jane Kim