Observation: Pyractomena ecostata
Primary Observer:
Richard Joyce
Event Date:
2025-04-22
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
Sink Creek Rd. boat launch, Jena Unit, Big Bend WMA
Province/State:
Florida
Event Date:
2025-04-22
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:12
End Time:
22:56
Number of Observers:
3
Primary Observer:
Richard Joyce
Additional Observers:
Jonathan Mays, David Cook
target_species_genus:
micronaspis
target_species_species:
floridana
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
250-500
Habitat Type:
Tidal Marsh - Salt marsh or brackish marsh
Habitat Type Notes:
In addition to the salt marsh (dominated by black needlerush, but with a few black mangrove plants), we surveyed in mesic flatwoods. This upland habitat had an overstory of slash pine, a mid-story of cabbage palmettos, and an understory of saw palmetto and various shrubs and herbs, including wax myrtle, eastern red cedar, goldenrod, and shiny blueberry.
Elevation (meters):
0.5
Area Searched (hectares):
2.2
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): Yes
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:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
50+
genus:
pyractomena
Species:
ecostata
Observation Notes:
Adult male measured about 15 mm. Interestingly, all display activity was happening in the flatwoods along Sink Creek Road, not over the black needlerush marsh.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:08
Last Flash Time:
22:30
First Flash Temp (F):
74
Last Flash Temp (F):
74
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Green
Flash Pattern Period:
9
Flash Duration:
0.8
Flash Interval:
8.2
Male Height Zone:
Moderate (3-8 ft), High (over 8 ft)
Flash Location:
Mostly in the midstory and understory of the flatwoods, at heights ranging from chest height to over head height.
Male Flash Behavior:
Long, very bright flashes repeated at long periods (8-10 seconds) at 74 deg F.
Female Flash Behavior:
Not observed.
