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Observation: Pyractomena dispersa
Primary Observer:
Saff Killingsworth
Event Date:
2025-06-20
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
West Fork Black River campground
Province/State:
Arizona
Event Date:
2025-06-20
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:00
End Time:
20:30
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
Saff Killingsworth
Additional Observers:
NA
Target Species Genus:
Pyractomena
Target Species Species:
dispersa
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
25-50
Habitat Type:
Riparian - Areas Along lake or stream
Habitat Type Notes:
Wet meadow at edge of stream within greater Ponderosa Pine forest. Stream edge dominated by Salix sp, and Alnus oblongifolia. Meadow dominated by Carex sp. with some Potentilla sp. The surrounding forest was dominated by Ponderosa pine. A hillside above the meadow saw catastrophic wildfire approximately 10 years ago. Some areas of the meadow had standing water - some were dryer. Fireflies occurred across the wet-dry spectrum of the habitat, including flashing from vegetation immediately adjacent to the stream.
Elevation (meters):
2359
Area Searched (hectares):
0.088
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: Yes
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): 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:
Light from 5-ish site campground included flashlights and string lights of campers.
Observation
Observation Type:
Flashing
Number Observed:
11-50
Genus:
Pyractomena
Species:
dispersa
Observation Notes:
At least 15 males flying and flashing, approx 35 individuals flashing from vegetation. Males mostly stayed within the wet meadow area, but several crossed the creek and flew flashing into the dry pine area of the campsite. Fireflies were already flashing when I arrived at the site approx 7:50. I did not observe the first flash. The last flash I observed was a male that had wandered into my campsite area after I left the wet meadow. There may have been more flashing fireflies later than I observed in the meadow. I did not have a net with me, and so could not catch and photograph a firefly. Identification based on flash pattern and color, and recent observation of Py. dispersa in nearby sites.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
20:00
Last Flash Time:
21:00
First Flash Temp (F):
~79
Last Flash Temp (F):
~70
Flashes in Pattern:
4
Flash Color:
Orange
Flash Pattern Period:
3?
Flash Duration:
1 - 5
Flash Interval:
1?
Male Height Zone:
Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Flashes occurred mostly from vegetation, and also from males flying approx. 4 ft high. Flashing was mostly centered in wet meadow, although some fireflies flashed from immediately creek side, in the air and on vegetation. At least one firefly flew into tree cover of dryer upland site.
Male Flash Behavior:
Males flashed in a "flash----flash----fla-flash" pattern, with most flying approximately 4 ft high.
Female Flash Behavior:
N/A
