Observation: Unknown

Observation: Unknown

Primary Observer:

Sean Brenner

Event Date:

2025-06-06

Status:

Unverified

Survey

Site Name:

 

Province/State:

Massachusetts

Event Date:

2025-06-06

Time of Day:

Night-Time

Start Time:

03:25

End Time:

03:40

Number of Observers:

1

Primary Observer:

Sean Brenner

Additional Observers:

 

Target Species Genus:

 

Target Species Species:

 

Location and Habitat

Location Accuracy (meters):

0-25

Habitat Type:

Developed - Sub/urban areas; parks/gardens

Habitat Type Notes:

They were on the edge of a small patch of woods that borders a suburban area; for zoning purposes the woods are considered wetland (on former farmland), but I don't know if they would fit a scientific definition of wetland

Elevation (meters):

31

Area Searched (hectares):

 

Artificial Light Sources

Vehicles: No
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): No

Artificial Light Notes:

These fireflies were right on the edge of my complex, where there are streetlights (fairly low light trespass) and lights through the windows of some of the homes. The streetlight that covers the area where the fireflies were congregated is dead, however, so it was a relative dark spot.

Observation

Observation Type:

Flashing

Number Observed:

2-10

Genus:

unknown

Species:

unknown

Observation Notes:

No idea what species - I only saw the glow - but the flashes were maybe a second long, with a few seconds between each flash. The glow was yellow in color and a little brighter than I would expect for a firefly, although I'm not an expert by any stretch.

Specimen Voucher Number:

Flash Behavior

First Flash Time:

03:25

Last Flash Time:

03:40

First Flash Temp (F):

~72

Last Flash Temp (F):

~72

Flashes in Pattern:

1

Flash Color:

Yellow

Flash Pattern Period:

1 second

Flash Duration:

1 second

Flash Interval:

~4-5 seconds

Male Height Zone:

High (over 8 ft)

Flash Location:

Maybe 2-3 meters off the ground, flitting around tree branches

Male Flash Behavior:

 

Female Flash Behavior:

 

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This is a project of the Xerces Society, working in collaboration with the IUCN SSC Firefly Specialist Group and New Mexico BioPark Society.

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