Observation: Photuris
Primary Observer:
Beth Ozbun
Event Date:
2025-04-22
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
IRWP
Province/State:
Arkansas
Event Date:
2025-04-22
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
19:29
End Time:
22:00
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:
Grassland/Meadow - Meadow, open, grasses dominant
Habitat Type Notes:
Recent storms broke some tree limbs, toppled two older trees
Elevation (meters):
434.93
Area Searched (hectares):
.72
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: Yes
Street Lights: Yes
Buildings: Yes
Street Lights: Yes
Buildings: Yes
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
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): Yes
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): Yes
Artificial Light Notes:
Observation
Observation Type:
Flashing
Number Observed:
2-10
Genus:
Photuris
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
I noticed small cool blue lights in the grass. The lights were dim and would occasionally appear brighter. Sometimes a light wasn’t visible at all. There wasn’t any flashing behavior. The larvae were in the grass along the tree line. A cave and old fish run are nearby.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:15
Last Flash Time:
21:00
First Flash Temp (F):
67
Last Flash Temp (F):
65
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Blue
Flash Pattern Period:
Variable
Flash Duration:
Variable
Flash Interval:
Variable
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft)
Flash Location:
Glows were in the grass, near the soil.
Male Flash Behavior:
Female Flash Behavior:
1 thought on “Observation: Photuris”
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Nice find! These are Photuris larvae, which you can tell by the flattened, oval shape. Pyractomena larvae are more pointy toward the head, and Photinus and Lucidota larvae are more parallel-sided.