Observation: Photuris
Primary Observer:
Carl Manthey
Event Date:
2025-06-07
Status:
Verified
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
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
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): No
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): No
Artificial Light Notes:
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
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:
1 thought on “Observation: Photuris”
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Thank you for this firefly observation! Photuris in the versicolor complex/group will always be somewhat tricky to identify with certainty, but two things that can provide a bit more information to work from are a length in millimeters and a view of the underside. Using a clear plastic bag for photos can help with both of those things. I wish I had known this before recommending petri-dishes in the training video I recorded in 2023!
If you want to dig into possible species, Photuris in PA to consider include the following: figuramuto, hebes, versicolor, and witmeri.