Observation: Pyractomena borealis

Observation: Pyractomena borealis

Primary Observer:

Beth Ozbun

Event Date:

2025-03-28

Status:

Verified

Survey

Site Name:

IRWP

Province/State:

Arkansas

Event Date:

2025-03-28

Time of Day:

Night-Time

Start Time:

20:40

End Time:

21:45

Number of Observers:

1

Primary Observer:

Beth Ozbun

Additional Observers:

NA

Target Species Genus:

Pyractomena

Target Species Species:

borealis

Location and Habitat

Location Accuracy (meters):

0-25

Habitat Type:

Woodland/Forest - Trees dominant, and in the over-story

Habitat Type Notes:

Public use area, deciduous trees, spring fed lake

Elevation (meters):

450.88

Area Searched (hectares):

.72

Artificial Light Sources

Vehicles: Yes
Street Lights: Yes
Buildings: Yes

Artificial Light Types

Sky Glow (diffuse illumination in the sky): Yes
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): Yes
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): Yes

Artificial Light Notes:

Lights from street visible in the park area of the sanctuary.

Observation

Observation Type:

Flashing

Number Observed:

2-10

Genus:

Pyractomena

Species:

borealis

Observation Notes:

The first firefly I observed was flashing green yellow. It flew from the mid trunk up to the branches of the tree. The other fireflies were flying laterally among the branches of many trees. 3 of the fireflies looked yellow/green. 1 was orangish. Flash patterns were similar, behavior was similar.

Specimen Voucher Number:

Flash Behavior

First Flash Time:

20:44

Last Flash Time:

21:35

First Flash Temp (F):

72

Last Flash Temp (F):

70

Flashes in Pattern:

1

Flash Color:

Yellow

Flash Pattern Period:

1.75

Flash Duration:

.5

Flash Interval:

1-2

Male Height Zone:

High (over 8 ft)

Flash Location:

All but the first were flying laterally through the branches of many trees.

Male Flash Behavior:

I am inferring that the few fireflies I saw were surveying for females. It wasn't an active night.

Female Flash Behavior:

I don’t think I saw any females

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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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