Observation: Pleotomus
Primary Observer:
Brian Blais
Event Date:
2017-08-11
Status:
Unreviewed
Survey
Site Name:
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
Province/State:
Arizona
Event Date:
2017-08-11
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:00
End Time:
23:59
Number of Observers:
3
Primary Observer:
Brian Blais
Additional Observers:
omitted for privacy
Target Species Genus:
unknown
Target Species Species:
unknown
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Riparian - Areas Along lake or stream
Habitat Type Notes:
Habitat excerpt from Blais et al 2023 (https://peerj.com/articles/15563/):
["Sonoran desertscrub (saguaro-palo verde communities) surrounds the heterogeneously complex riparian woodland-mesquite bosque biotic community adjacent lower Sabino Creek (Lazaroff, 1993). Streambed and floodplain substrates range from fine sands and cobbles to boulders, and in some parts of the canyon, exposed bedrock. Riparian vegetation spans low herbaceous plants, shrubs, and tall deciduous overstory trees (e.g., Fraxinus, Platanus, Populus; Lazaroff, 1993); debris and sediment deposits from high flow events can influence microhabitat composition (Desilets et al., 2007). "]
Elevation (meters):
830
Area Searched (hectares):
12
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:
Sabino Canyon (dam riparian area) is sheltered far enough from developed areas to receive very minimal artificial light at site. There was no noticeable artificial light at the survey site.
Observation
Observation Type:
Flashing
Number Observed:
11-50
Genus:
Pleotomus
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
Observation #1:
Several adult fireflies (ca < 50) observed in flight (not captured or photographed) at [ 32.314688, -110.810998, error <5m ] 11 Aug 2017 between 22:00–23:59. Location was SE corner at top of Sabino Dam -- Fireflies were above shoreline and over the water at top of dam.
Observation #2:
Larval firefly (Pleotomus sp.?) observed illuminating on paved roadway; sighting report = https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/7766773
*Note: Observed during herpetological survey. Subsequent periodic herp surveys (2017-2023) did not turn up any more firefly sightings, albeit they were not focal taxa.
Specimen Voucher Number:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/7766773
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
22:00
Last Flash Time:
23:49
First Flash Temp (F):
NA
Last Flash Temp (F):
NA
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Unknown
Flash Pattern Period:
untimed
Flash Duration:
untimed
Flash Interval:
untimed
Male Height Zone:
Moderate (3-8 ft), High (over 8 ft)
Flash Location:
(from recollection): Adults (obs #1) in flight at heights above ground 4-20', gentle not rapid flashes ~interval 1-3s; color white-yellow but not certain from memory.
Larval (recorded above; see iNaturalist link) -- flashing but interval and color not recorded at time of observation.
