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Observation: Photinus
Primary Observer:
Lexi ford
Event Date:
2024-06-07
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
Province/State:
Texas
Event Date:
2024-06-07
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:15
End Time:
20:35
Number of Observers:
5
Primary Observer:
Lexi ford
Additional Observers:
Taylor, Everette, Bella, cindra, nick
Target Species Genus:
unknown
Target Species Species:
unknown
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Grassland/Meadow - Meadow, open, grasses dominant
Habitat Type Notes:
Open field but the section directly by our house has trees, bushes, grass, lots of milkweeds etc. We have a ton of species of animals like monarch butterflies, rabbits, red tail hawks, fireflies, snakes etc
Elevation (meters):
238
Area Searched (hectares):
0
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: Yes
Street Lights: No
Buildings: Yes
Street Lights: No
Buildings: Yes
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:
Flashing
Number Observed:
50+
Genus:
Photinus
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
There is a very large firefly habitat in the field next to us. The fireflies will land on us when we walk outside. They're just maybe 5 feet away from our front door. Dozens of them, if not a hundred. Every year it grows but is endangered for being lost as it's part of a large residential development.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
20:15
Last Flash Time:
21:06
First Flash Temp (F):
80
Last Flash Temp (F):
75
Flashes in Pattern:
2
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
3
Flash Duration:
3
Flash Interval:
7
Male Height Zone:
Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
They're everywhere! High, low, fast, slow, big, small.
Male Flash Behavior:
Female Flash Behavior:
1 thought on “Observation: Photinus”
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Thanks for this firefly observation! Based on the yellow flash color, the location, the open field habitat, and the dusk display time, these fireflies are likely big dipper fireflies (Photinus pyralis), but a close-up photo would help to confirm.
A note about flash pattern details:
“Flash pattern period” refers to the number of seconds between the start of a flash pattern and the start of the next repetition of that flash pattern. For example, Photinus pyralis typically has a flash pattern period of 5-7 seconds.
“Flash duration” is how long each flash lasts. Usually this is too fast to measure accurately, but you can estimate whether it is more or less than 0.5 seconds, you can enter “not recorded,” or you can do a verbal description (such as “very brief”).
“Flash interval” refers to the time between the end of one flash and the beginning of the next. In species with single flash patterns and short flash durations, this is basically the same as “flash pattern period,” just a little shorter.