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Observation: Photuris frontalis
Primary Observer:
Alyssa Goforth
Event Date:
2025-04-18
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
Province/State:
Texas
Event Date:
2025-04-18
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
19:45
End Time:
21:30
Number of Observers:
5
Primary Observer:
Alyssa Goforth
Additional Observers:
Mary Dobberstine,Will Jones,Greg Nenninger,Ana-Marie Brown
Target Species Genus:
Photuris
Target Species Species:
walldoxeyi
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Riparian - Areas Along lake or stream
Habitat Type Notes:
Lake Anahuac is a manmade freshwater lake. It is occasionally influenced by storms because of its proximity to coastal marshes and the Gulf of Mexico, there can sometimes be seasonal or storm-related mixing near its outer edges, but the lake itself is managed and maintained as freshwater. The bald cypress line the edges near the lake.
The trees in the riparian forest include: hackberry, ash, oaks and willows. The understory has a variety of plants including dwarf palmettos , clover, ragweed, beardtongue, buttonbush, & holly.
Elevation (meters):
6
Area Searched (hectares):
4.3
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:
Observation
Observation Type:
Flashing
Number Observed:
11-50
Genus:
Photuris
Species:
frontalis
Observation Notes:
The flashing activity was seen in the riparian forest understory. The flashing was noticed within the brush stationary and then flying about 3-5 feet. The flashing while flying was quick and continuous pulses then dark. We were able to capture and photograph one specimen. Key markings were transparency in the pronotum, pits on top lantern, DARK abdomen segment 5 with no splash, large eyes, wide chunky body, & wider margins on covers.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
20:30
Last Flash Time:
21:15
First Flash Temp (F):
77
Last Flash Temp (F):
76
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
variable
Flash Duration:
<1 sec
Flash Interval:
<1 sec
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Found in the brush understory stationary and flying in between the brush area.
Male Flash Behavior:
The pulses were quick. I counted rapidly for 10-15 beats and then the firefly would go dark. The specimen captured would also pulse repeatedly when there wasn't a light on. It was aggressively flashing display very different than the billbrowni quick paired flash.
Female Flash Behavior:
none noted
2 thoughts on “Observation: Photuris frontalis”
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Awesome observation! And nice photos!
My only note (and it’s a semantics one) is that I would characterize Photuris frontalis as a single flasher (ie. number of flashes in pattern=1). While it gives “flash trains” of many flashes, the unit that repeats predictably is the single flash.
I have modified to a single flasher. Thanks Richard.
-Mary