Observation: Pyractomena dispersa
Primary Observer:
Pam Morgan
Event Date:
2025-05-14
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
Undisclosed
Province/State:
Arkansas
Event Date:
2025-05-14
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
21:05
End Time:
22:05
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
Pam Morgan
Additional Observers:
NA
target_species_genus:
pyractomena
target_species_species:
dispersa
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
25-50
Habitat Type:
Grassland/Meadow - Meadow, open, grasses dominant
Habitat Type Notes:
Horse pasture / field. Grass dominant, with some wildflowers. Dogbane coming up right now. Field is bordered by trees, then houses. Trees are sassafras, black cherry, elm, hackberry, red cedar and some invasives including Bradford pear. The tree border has an overgrown shrubby/vine layer, including grapevines, multiflora rose, green briar, and blackberries.
Elevation (meters):
351
Area Searched (hectares):
.2
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): Yes
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:
The field is bordered by houses, some of which have their porch lights on. When a car enters the street (not very often), its headlights shine into the field. There is a streetlight about 50 meters from the field and its light shines into part of the field.
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
11-50
genus:
pyractomena
Species:
dispersa
Observation Notes:
9 mm long. Males were flying low above the grass (2 - 6 ft), sometimes flying/flashing in straight lines, sometimes flying downward, sometimes in a curving flight (up, down, or sideways).
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:05
Last Flash Time:
22:05
First Flash Temp (F):
81
Last Flash Temp (F):
81
Flashes in Pattern:
>4
Flash Color:
Orange
Flash Pattern Period:
3
Flash Duration:
1
Flash Interval:
2
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Low over the grass in the middle of the field.
Male Flash Behavior:
3 to 5 quick pulses (flicker flash?), lasting about 1 second, with 2 seconds in between. Flashing was fairly faint. There was another firefly flashing that had a bright greenish single flash, so comparatively this species had a much fainter, longer flicker flash and it looked orange.
