Observation: Pyractomena
Primary Observer:
Pam Morgan
Event Date:
2025-05-14
Status:
Unreviewed
Survey
Site Name:
Bentonville near SW Elm Tree Rd
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:
Flashing
Number Observed:
1
Genus:
Pyractomena
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
12 mm long. Over long grass in field. May be the same as the suspected Pyractomena dispersa also seen in this field, but this one looks a little different (flared pronotum). I caught it because it had a different flash pattern also - same timing as the others in the field - 1-second faint orange flicker flash, then 2 seconds of darkness, but this one was flying straight down when flashing. Then the next flash started at the same height as the beginning of the previous one, so it must have flown up diagonally while dark. Straight down for every flash. It was the only one I saw doing this, although the other fireflies had erratic flights.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
22:05
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:
Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Over long grass in field. About 3 feet high.
Male Flash Behavior:
1-second faint orange flicker flash, then 2 seconds of darkness, flying straight down when flashing. Then the next flash started at the same height as the beginning of the previous one, so it must have flown up diagonally while dark. Straight down for every flash. It was the only one I saw doing this, although the other fireflies had erratic flights.
