Observation: Photuris

Observation: Photuris

Primary Observer:

Carl Manthey

Event Date:

2025-06-07

Status:

Unreviewed

Survey

Site Name:

Great Marsh, Elverson, PA

Province/State:

Pennsylvania

Event Date:

2025-06-07

Time of Day:

Night-Time

Start Time:

20:30

End Time:

22:00

Number of Observers:

5

Primary Observer:

Carl Manthey

Additional Observers:

Myrna Villanueva, Bernard Brown, Diana Cormack, Kathy Varady

Target Species Genus:

unknown

Target Species Species:

unknown

Location and Habitat

Location Accuracy (meters):

500-1000

Habitat Type:

Open Freshwater Wetland - Wetland Bog, fen, freshwater marsh

Habitat Type Notes:

 

Elevation (meters):

150 - 200

Area Searched (hectares):

8

Artificial Light Sources

Vehicles: 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

Artificial Light Notes:

 

Observation

Observation Type:

Flashing

Number Observed:

2-10

Genus:

Photuris

Species:

unknown

Observation Notes:

Wet meadow.

Specimen Voucher Number:

Flash Behavior

First Flash Time:

21:25

Last Flash Time:

22:00

First Flash Temp (F):

68

Last Flash Temp (F):

68

Flashes in Pattern:

1

Flash Color:

Green

Flash Pattern Period:

4

Flash Duration:

<0.5

Flash Interval:

4

Male Height Zone:

Moderate (3-8 ft)

Flash Location:

It was flying at eye level over a wet meadow.

Male Flash Behavior:

This firefly flashed single flashes every 4 seconds (7 flashes in 28 seconds). A small number of triple flashing fireflies (presumably P. versicolor) were present in the same environment but were not caught and photographed.

Female Flash Behavior:

 

Leave a Comment

Connect

Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates.

Follow

Follow the Xerces Society.

Share

Share this page.

Support

Support the Xerces Society's conservation work.

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

Copyright © 2025 The Xerces Society •1631 NE Broadway Street, #821 • Portland OR 97232 USA