Observation: Photuris
Primary Observer:
Mary Dobberstine
Event Date:
2025-05-13
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
ABNC - Short Loop Bend
Province/State:
Texas
Event Date:
2025-05-13
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
21:00
End Time:
21:40
Number of Observers:
6
Primary Observer:
Mary Dobberstine
Additional Observers:
Alyssa Goforth, Nick Towns, Rob Worner, Ernesto, Paul Morken, Hannah Juenke
target_species_genus:
photuris
target_species_species:
versicolor
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Woodland/Forest - Trees dominant, and in the over-story
Habitat Type Notes:
The trail winds through a riparian forested wetland, home to a mix of oak, hackberry, and pine trees. In the shrubby understory, you’ll find yaupon holly, dwarf palmettos, beautyberry, and other native plants. Keep an eye out for local wildlife too—rabbits, armadillos, raccoons, spiders, owls, bats, and more all make their home here.
Elevation (meters):
11
Area Searched (hectares):
1.4
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): No
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:
2-10
genus:
photuris
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
The female specimen, approximately 20mm in body length, was first observed walking on a bush just off the trail and was softly glowing. A male, about 19mm, was later captured while flying. We observed glowing flashes in an upward, swooping motion into the tree canopy, continuing to climb higher.
This behavior was observed again in the same area three days later, at the same time.
Note: Submitted photos include both the male and female specimens. (Please let me know if I should be the separate specimens into a different note)
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
20:55
Last Flash Time:
21:15
First Flash Temp (F):
81
Last Flash Temp (F):
81
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Green
Flash Pattern Period:
uncertain
Flash Duration:
uncertain
Flash Interval:
uncertain
Male Height Zone:
High (over 8 ft)
Flash Location:
The swooping glows of the male were mostly very high at the top of the tree canopy.
Male Flash Behavior:
The glow followed a swooping motion, resembling a backward "J"—starting low and curving upward. I wasn’t able to gather clear information on the flash intervals or duration.
Female Flash Behavior:
soft glow; could not determine frequency or duration details
2 thoughts on “Observation: Photuris”
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This is an intriguing observation! I changed the ID to “Photuris unknown” because, while this is a “Photuris versicolor” in the general sense of that species group, in the Firefly Atlas we use “Photuris versicolor” more narrowly to refer to the Photuris species in Eastern States that does a multi-pulse flash pattern and has dark hind coxae. It is tricky to use “Photuris versicolor” in broader group sense, because technically species like Photuris tremulans, Photuris forresti and others would fall under this group.
Based on the information in Lloyd 2018, the only two species longer than 15 mm known in Texas are PHoturis frontalis (which this firefly clearly is not) and Photuris katrinae, which is known further to the west. Photuris mysteries are ongoing!
Thank you, Richard. We may want to look into how to research whether this could be a previously undocumented species—how exciting would that be? We understand your point about using Photuris versicolor as the species name as well as now the confusion of referring to the specimen as part of the versicolor complex. Thank you for pointing that out about the complex. “Photuris unknown” does add a nice touch of mystery!