Observation: Photinus alexanderi
Primary Observer:
Rachel Irvin
Event Date:
2023-08-22
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
Deer Spring
Province/State:
Utah
Event Date:
2023-08-22
Time of Day:
Day-Time
Start Time:
11:00
End Time:
14:30
Number of Observers:
4
Primary Observer:
Rachel Irvin
Additional Observers:
Amanda Barth, Helani Torres, Barb Smith.
Target Species Genus:
unknown
Target Species Species:
unknown
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
25-50
Habitat Type:
Riparian - Areas Along lake or stream
Habitat Type Notes:
Stream running through the area with a spring at the highest elevation before the dirt road. Along the stream were many grasses, violets, wild raspberries, and shrubs. The surrounding area was covered in native and non native grasses, thistles, lupines, and sweet clover. Fence surrounded the spring at the top of the site and had many hornets living in the wood.
Elevation (meters):
1800
Area Searched (hectares):
0.809371
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:
Found on Forest Service lands next to a dirt road. No light pollution from cars, street lamps, buildings, etc.
Observation
Observation Type:
Non-Flashing
Number Observed:
1
Genus:
Photinus
Species:
alexanderi
Observation Notes:
Between 1-2 cm long.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
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Last Flash Temp (F):
Flashes in Pattern:
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Male Height Zone:
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Male Flash Behavior:
Female Flash Behavior:
2 thoughts on “Observation: Photinus alexanderi”
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Thanks for submitting this observation! Based on the broader form and larger size, this appears to be an Ellychnia (technically now Photinus, but the database doesn’t reflect that), and the expected species based on distribution would be Ellychnia alexanderi Fender, 1969.
Some of the characteristics of Ellychnia alexanderi include the following:
– length 7.5-10.5 mm, width 3.5-5 mm
-roseate markings on the pronotum (head shield) that extend from front to back
-pubescence is black and the body does not have a “dusty” appearance
-the dark, convex central part of the pronotum (head shield) is usually finely punctured (having tiny holes) instead of being granulate (grainy/bumpy/sandy appearance)
I have changed the observation genus and species to Ellychnia alexanderi, but the observation status will remain unverified because we would probably need to examine a specimen to confidently ID this firefly.
Thanks Richard!
I am so happy to have feedback on this specimen. I have observed a few fireflies this season and have been noticing small differences between them. Thank you for the identification tips, it will be very useful for the future.