Observation: Photinus brimleyi
Primary Observer:
Beth Nazelrod
Event Date:
2025-06-16
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
Punderson State Park Campground site # 59
Province/State:
Ohio
Event Date:
2025-06-16
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
21:30
End Time:
00:00
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
Beth Nazelrod
Additional Observers:
NA
target_species_genus:
photinus
target_species_species:
brimleyi
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
25-50
Habitat Type:
Woodland/Forest - Trees dominant, and in the over-story
Habitat Type Notes:
Second growth trees/shrubs/tall grass/weeds.
Elevation (meters):
1,171
Area Searched (hectares):
1/4 hectares
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:
NA
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
11-50
genus:
photinus
Species:
brimleyi
Observation Notes:
Single yellow flashes about 10-12 seconds apart.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:55
Last Flash Time:
00:00
First Flash Temp (F):
68
Last Flash Temp (F):
66
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
10-12
Flash Duration:
2 seconds
Flash Interval:
10-13 seconds apart
Male Height Zone:
High (over 8 ft)
Flash Location:
Height in tall trees, and medium height in secondary growth.
Male Flash Behavior:
Yellow flash with long pause (10 seconds) until next flash.
Female Flash Behavior:
As male, only at 6-12” off ground.
1 thought on “Observation: Photinus brimleyi”
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Thank you for this firefly observation! There are a few things that don’t quite seem to match with Photinus brimleyi:
-the flash pattern period/interval for P. brimleyi is about 1-3 seconds, much shorter than the 10 second pause you describe
-Photinus brimleyi usually display relatively low in the forest understory (Faust 2017 says “1-5 feet”
Firefly-ing often involves lots of unsolved mysteries, and I think this is one!