Observation: Micronaspis floridana

Observation: Micronaspis floridana

Primary Observer:

Rick Owen

Event Date:

2025-04-23

Status:

Verified

Survey

Site Name:

Cedar Key Scrub (Zone CK-2Qn)

Province/State:

Florida

Event Date:

2025-04-23

Time of Day:

Night-Time

Start Time:

20:28

End Time:

22:00

Number of Observers:

3

Primary Observer:

Rick Owen

Additional Observers:

Robin Boughton, Beverly Sanders, Clara Sanders

Target Species Genus:

Micronaspis

Target Species Species:

floridana

Location and Habitat

Location Accuracy (meters):

0-25

Habitat Type:

Tidal Marsh - Salt marsh or brackish marsh

Habitat Type Notes:

Adjacent to hydric hammock, upper tributary of Lukens Creek (tidal)- Black needle rush, some mangrove in distance (near tributary), abundant open mucky soils, numerous down dead cabbage palm and red cedar. Photos taken

Elevation (meters):

0

Area Searched (hectares):

0.13

Artificial Light Sources

Vehicles: 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

Artificial Light Notes:

Sky glow was from the south

Observation

Observation Type:

Flashing

Number Observed:

11-50

Genus:

Micronaspis

Species:

floridana

Observation Notes:

Number observed was near the high end, very close to 50. Flashes were separated in distance from one another. Flashes were represented 360 degrees around us but were concentrated over large patches of black needle rush to south and north but also mucky areas in between. Appeared to be at least one other species present (different flash pattern).

Specimen Voucher Number:

Flash Behavior

First Flash Time:

20:35

Last Flash Time:

22:00

First Flash Temp (F):

73.1

Last Flash Temp (F):

71.1

Flashes in Pattern:

1

Flash Color:

Yellow

Flash Pattern Period:

1 to 3

Flash Duration:

1

Flash Interval:

1 to 3

Male Height Zone:

Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft)

Flash Location:

Flashing in the 0.13 hectare area was near boundary of tidal marsh/hydric hammock, but all flashing observations were in tidal marsh area. Large area of marsh was mucky soils and black needle rush, as well as diverse herbaceous component, including Crinum sp.

Male Flash Behavior:

Single flash. A male was the first individual we observed and captured for photos. Photo posted on i Naturalist with obscured locality.

Female Flash Behavior:

 

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