Observation: Photinus pyralis
Primary Observer:
Anna Yellin
Event Date:
2024-06-15
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
Undisclosed
Province/State:
Georgia
Event Date:
2024-06-15
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:43
End Time:
22:00
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
Anna Yellin
Additional Observers:
NA
target_species_genus:
photuris
target_species_species:
forresti
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
100-250
Habitat Type:
Woodland/Forest - Trees dominant, and in the over-story
Habitat Type Notes:
An old stone bridge leads away from an old mill and crosses a wetland area. This survey was not long after the 13-year cicada emergence in this area. Hardwood trees include box elder, sweetgum, and oak. Pine is in the surrounding area. There is a river not far away.
Elevation (meters):
136 m
Area Searched (hectares):
3
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:
Most of the time, there was not light tresspassing into the site. However, a friend was looking around with a flashlight and occasionally the light went into my area.
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
11-50
genus:
photinus
Species:
pyralis
Observation Notes:
There were over ten fireflies over the grass at about 10:30 p.m. when the survey was ending. They flashed yellow. They did a little swooping, but it didn't look like the J pattern. They were at all different heights. This specimen was about five feet up. Flashes were every ten seconds for about one second. I do not know for how long all of these have been in the field as I just came up from the woods.
Specimen Voucher Number:
W4
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
22:30
Last Flash Time:
22:30
First Flash Temp (F):
85
Last Flash Temp (F):
85
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
10 seconds
Flash Duration:
1 second
Flash Interval:
There is just one flash every 10 seconds
Male Height Zone:
Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Over a mowed field near the archaeology site. There are trees in the field, but most of the area is grassy.
Male Flash Behavior:
Female Flash Behavior:
1 thought on “Observation: Photinus pyralis”
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In my experience, Photinus pyralis flash behavior can get more variable and less typical as the evening progresses, which would fit with the 10:30 PM time of this observation. The morphology of the specimen fits with P. pyralis: large size, pale scutellum, pale pygidium with dark T-shaped mark, dark oval spot in center of pronotum.