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Observation: Pyractomena borealis
Primary Observer:
Zoltan Morocz
Event Date:
2025-04-25
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
Province/State:
West Virginia
Event Date:
2025-04-25
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
01:30
End Time:
01:31
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
Zoltan Morocz
Additional Observers:
NA
Target Species Genus:
Target Species Species:
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Habitat Type Notes:
Habitat is a mix of woods and large open yards with a small pond and stream. The yard area is mowed as needed, usually starting late April. No pesticides or herbicides used.
Elevation (meters):
201
Area Searched (hectares):
NA
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: No
Street Lights: Yes
Buildings: No
Bonfire
Street Lights: Yes
Buildings: No
Bonfire
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): No
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): Yes
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): No
Artificial Light Notes:
I was tending a burn pile overnight. The firefly was about 30' up an oak tree that has sparse new growth. The tree is 60 feet away from the burn pile, 150' away from one streetlight, and 200' from another.
Observation
Observation Type:
Flashing
Number Observed:
1
Genus:
Pyractomena
Species:
borealis
Observation Notes:
This was just an incidental sighting while tending a burn pile.
I saw one firefly. It was flashing once every few seconds. Bright white. It was about 30' up in an oak tree.
I was in the yard again tonight and saw another, single white blink. It was flying about 40' up along the tree line.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
01:30
Last Flash Time:
01:31
First Flash Temp (F):
unknown
Last Flash Temp (F):
unknown
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
White
Flash Pattern Period:
unknown
Flash Duration:
>1
Flash Interval:
unknown
Male Height Zone:
High (over 8 ft)
Flash Location:
Flashes were around trees, about 30-40 feet up
Male Flash Behavior:
Female Flash Behavior:
2 thoughts on “Observation: Pyractomena borealis”
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Thank you for submitting this incidental firefly observation!
Despite not having a photo of the firefly in hand, your description of this firefly’s behavior (single flashes, high up in the trees) aligns well with Pyractomena borealis (common name “spring treetop flasher”), which is usually the species that flashes earliest in the spring in the temperate eastern US.
Thanks for the reply and info. I’m looking forward to learning more from this site.
There were dozens of them showing up over the weekend.
When I moved here 3 years ago, most of the fireflies flashed three times. Last year it began shifting to mostly single flashes.
Moving here was the first time I ever got to see fireflies. Sixty years old and it brings the little kid out in me.