Observation: Unknown
Primary Observer:
Kelsey Marcellus
Event Date:
2025-06-17
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
Undisclosed
Province/State:
Virginia
Event Date:
2025-06-17
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
22:30
End Time:
22:45
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
Kelsey Marcellus
Additional Observers:
NA
target_species_genus:
target_species_species:
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Woodland/Forest - Trees dominant, and in the over-story
Habitat Type Notes:
There is open farm land in the back and houses in the front with a thick tree line separating the 2.
Elevation (meters):
140
Area Searched (hectares):
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: No
Street Lights: Yes
Buildings: Yes
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
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): Yes
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): No
Artificial Light Notes:
Mostly coming from street or neighbors house. Out lights are motion sensors and only come on when someone enters the porch vs the neighbors is always on.
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
11-50
genus:
unknown
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
22:30
Last Flash Time:
10:45
First Flash Temp (F):
82
Last Flash Temp (F):
82
Flashes in Pattern:
>4
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
0
Flash Duration:
3
Flash Interval:
0
Male Height Zone:
High (over 8 ft)
Flash Location:
In the tree tops
Male Flash Behavior:
Female Flash Behavior:
1 thought on “Observation: Unknown”
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Thank you for submitting this firefly observation! Without a photo of the firefly, it is tricky to reach a species identification, but it is great to know that this site supports fireflies! Based on the treetop location of the display, I think a firefly in the genus Photuris is most likely.
A note about flash pattern terminology, for next firefly season:
“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, the big dipper firefly (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.