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Observation: Photuris congener
Primary Observer:
Jonathan Mays
Event Date:
2025-05-02
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
Mays/Robertson Home
Province/State:
Florida
Event Date:
2025-05-02
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:00
End Time:
23:30
Number of Observers:
2
Primary Observer:
Jonathan Mays
Additional Observers:
Ellen Robertson
Target Species Genus:
Photuris
Target Species Species:
congener
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
25-50
Habitat Type:
Woodland/Forest - Trees dominant, and in the over-story
Habitat Type Notes:
Habitat consists of mixed pine-hardwood hammock/slope forest with dominant trees being loblolly, laurel oak, live oak, sweetgum, southern magnolia, and sugarberry; dominant shrubs of cabbage palm, grapevine, beautyberry and lots of vines (e.g., grapevine, greenbriar); heavy leaf litter and ground cover atop sandy-to-loamy soils.
Elevation (meters):
28
Area Searched (hectares):
0.8
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: Yes
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:
Yard adjacent to non-busy secondary road thus occasional car lights, but minimal (<10/hour). No streetlights and both neighbors houses did not have outdoor lighting on (neither did we) plus blocked by thick rows of trees and understory vegetation. However, neighbor house lights (floodlights and yard "party" lights) can vary night-to-night.
Observation
Observation Type:
Flashing
Number Observed:
11-50
Genus:
Photuris
Species:
congener
Observation Notes:
Small (~10mm) Photuris, ~25 semi-synchronous individuals with repeated, single fast flashes, popping off 3-6 in <1". Staying mostly low (below head height) and within dense vegetation under thick canopy cover. Have been noticably displaying at this site for ~7-10 days, but in smaller numbers, beginning around sunset with flashing peaking between 9-10pm and continuing in smaller displays until after 11pm. Flashing peaked May 1-5 (this survey from May 2) with smaller numbers continuing until around May 12th.
Specimen Voucher Number:
n/a
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
20:27
Last Flash Time:
23:08
First Flash Temp (F):
80
Last Flash Temp (F):
76
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
single
Flash Duration:
0.1
Flash Interval:
varible
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft)
Flash Location:
Staying mostly low (below head height) and within dense vegetation under thick canopy cover
Male Flash Behavior:
Variation with how high off ground they were flying, though mostly between 1 and 7ft above ground, but individuals tended to stay at relatively same height mostly giving single fast flashes (~0.1" duration), popping off 3-6 in <1-1.5", before pausing for variable periods.
Female Flash Behavior:
Observed at least 2 females sitting low (knee height) on vegetation, giving single flashes with 2-3 second pauses between.
