Observation: Pyractomena dispersa

Observation: Pyractomena dispersa

Primary Observer:

Ron Day

Event Date:

2024-06-26

Status:

Verified

Survey

Site Name:

Alpine Divide Campground

Province/State:

Arizona

Event Date:

2024-06-26

Time of Day:

Night-Time

Start Time:

19:37

End Time:

22:00

Number of Observers:

2

Primary Observer:

Ron Day

Additional Observers:

Cheryl Mollohan

Target Species Genus:

Pyractomena

Target Species Species:

dispersa

Location and Habitat

Location Accuracy (meters):

0-25

Habitat Type:

Open Freshwater Wetland - Wetland Bog, fen, freshwater marsh

Habitat Type Notes:

Wet meadow surrounded by conifer trees.

Elevation (meters):

2581

Area Searched (hectares):

.52

Artificial Light Sources

Vehicles: Yes
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): Yes
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): Yes

Artificial Light Notes:

Wet meadow with fireflies is very near a fairly busy road.

Observation

Observation Type:

Flashing

Number Observed:

11-50

Genus:

Pyractomena

Species:

dispersa

Observation Notes:

 

Specimen Voucher Number:

Flash Behavior

First Flash Time:

20:00

Last Flash Time:

22:00

First Flash Temp (F):

67.4

Last Flash Temp (F):

62.4

Flashes in Pattern:

4

Flash Color:

Orange

Flash Pattern Period:

not recorded

Flash Duration:

Not recorded

Flash Interval:

Not recorded

Male Height Zone:

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

Flash Location:

Some 4 flash without the sputter...some 3 quick flashes and then a sputter flash. Fireflies were sitting in low vegetation in wet meadow. As the night progressed they flew higher and over a larger area above wet meadow.

Male Flash Behavior:

 

Female Flash Behavior:

 

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

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