Observation: Photuris
Primary Observer:
Pam Morgan
Event Date:
2024-06-08
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
Illinois River Watershed Partnership
Province/State:
Arkansas
Event Date:
2024-06-08
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:30
End Time:
22:00
Number of Observers:
2
Primary Observer:
Pam Morgan
Additional Observers:
Beth Ozbun
target_species_genus:
photinus
target_species_species:
pyralis
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
25-50
Habitat Type:
Riparian - Areas Along lake or stream
Habitat Type Notes:
This area is a pond fed by a spring coming out of a cave. The pond then empties into Osage Creek. The pond is bordered by grassy areas with trails, and beyond that, thick woods with some trails. There is a parking area at the entrance to the area and street lights are bright in this area. About 100 m from the road is a pavilion in a grassy field (no lights, although you can still see some lights from the road).A trail through the woods along the pond leads to another grassy area that was burned in January and another pavilion. The edge of the grassy area is mowed, and the center is long grass. This area is dark. There are many trees bordering the grassy areas. Mostly oak, hickory, sycamore, and other native species. There are some native pollinator gardens planted in some of the grassy areas.
Elevation (meters):
352
Area Searched (hectares):
1.5
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: No
Street Lights: Yes
Buildings: No
Street Lights: Yes
Buildings: No
Artificial Light Types
Sky Glow (diffuse illumination in the sky): No
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): Yes
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): No
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): Yes
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): No
Artificial Light Notes:
Near the parking lot there is a road with street lights, and that is the area where we only saw Photinus pyralis. Once we moved away from that area, there was only one section where we could see a bright street light in the distance, but other than that it was dark. The grassy areas and pond were surrounded by trees.
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
11-50
genus:
photuris
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
15 to 16 mm long, In trees and bushes bordering path, along pond.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:13
Last Flash Time:
22:00
First Flash Temp (F):
82
Last Flash Temp (F):
79
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Green
Flash Pattern Period:
2
Flash Duration:
.5 to .7
Flash Interval:
1
Male Height Zone:
Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
In trees and bushes bordering path, along pond.
Male Flash Behavior:
Quick single flashes about 1 second apart.
Female Flash Behavior:
1 thought on “Observation: Photuris”
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Nice observation of a female Photuris! (You can tell it is female by the oval/flying saucer-shaped lanterns that don’t fully fill the ventral segments they’re on.)
The dark color of the hind coxae (the oval shaped leg segments where the legs attach to the thorax) are a helpful hint that this Photuris is probably not Photuris lucicrescens or Photuris hebes, which have pale hind coxae.
Based on your location and the flash pattern description (assuming that the flash pattern was from a male and not a female), one possible species is Photuris tremulans.