Observation: Pleotomus

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

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

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.

Male Flash Behavior:

 

Female Flash Behavior:

 

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