Observation: Photinus knulli
Primary Observer:
Candace Fallon
Event Date:
2024-08-02
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
Undisclosed
Province/State:
Arizona
Event Date:
2024-08-02
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
19:30
End Time:
22:23
Number of Observers:
3
Primary Observer:
Candace Fallon
Additional Observers:
Saff Killingsworth, Lucas Hetherington
target_species_genus:
photinus
target_species_species:
knulli
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Riparian - Areas Along lake or stream
Habitat Type Notes:
Series of granite/basalt bedrock pools with perennial water. Large boulders. Primary riparian vegetation included Gooding's willow, oak (AZ white oak?), ash, sycamore, Eragrostis bunchgrasses, Indigofera, cattails. Upland vegetation on the hillsides composed of saguaros, ocotillos, feathertree.
Elevation (meters):
1086.6
Area Searched (hectares):
0.04
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): 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:
Faint sky glow from Tucson visible from over the hillside.
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
1
genus:
photinus
Species:
knulli
Observation Notes:
Single adult male observed. Pronotum edged in black with thick black center stripe. Yellow elytral margins. Relatively slender body with length slightly over 8 mm.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
20:18
Last Flash Time:
22:23
First Flash Temp (F):
86.5
Last Flash Temp (F):
84.7
Flashes in Pattern:
3
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
Variable
Flash Duration:
<1
Flash Interval:
Variable
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft)
Flash Location:
flashing from edge of creek, very close to water surface. Flasher was very tied to that small area - did not venture far over the creek or to surrounding vegetation. When caught for ID, was perched on a Polygonum species (Persicaria?) growing in the water, near some cattails.
Male Flash Behavior:
Mostly sedentary (non-flying) with no discernible flash pattern (sometimes single, sometimes 2-3 flashes). Very infrequent overall flashing over the course of the evening, with up to ten minutes or longer between flash activity.
Female Flash Behavior:
Not observed.
