Observation: Photinus jamesi

Observation: Photinus jamesi

Primary Observer:

Richard Joyce

Event Date:

2025-06-19

Status:

Verified

Survey

Site Name:

Dwelly Farm Conservation Area - Back Field West

Province/State:

Massachusetts

Event Date:

2025-06-19

Time of Day:

Night-Time

Start Time:

20:41

End Time:

22:15

Number of Observers:

10

Primary Observer:

Richard Joyce

Additional Observers:

Anna W., Ian W., Corey W., Mike B., Christy B., Christy B., Kayla K., Derek C., Jessica S.

Target Species Genus:

unknown

Target Species Species:

unknown

Location and Habitat

Location Accuracy (meters):

0-25

Habitat Type:

Grassland/Meadow - Meadow, open, grasses dominant

Habitat Type Notes:

Wet field with sensitive fern, goldenrod, red maple and red oak seedlings, grasses, sedges, steeplebush, and yarrow.

Elevation (meters):

306

Area Searched (hectares):

0.1

Artificial Light Sources

Vehicles: No
Street Lights: No
Buildings: No

Artificial Light Types

Sky Glow (diffuse illumination in the sky): Yes
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): No
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): No

Artificial Light Notes:

Only ALAN was sky glow.

Observation

Observation Type:

Flashing

Number Observed:

11-50

Genus:

Photinus

Species:

jamesi

Observation Notes:

About 10 mm long. This was the first species to begin flashing. Last flash time is estimated, but in generally these seemed to stop flashing once true darkness fell. Composite long exposure taken at 9:10 PM appears to show some of the double flash patterns.

Specimen Voucher Number:

Flash Behavior

First Flash Time:

20:48

Last Flash Time:

21:30

First Flash Temp (F):

73

Last Flash Temp (F):

73

Flashes in Pattern:

2

Flash Color:

Yellow

Flash Pattern Period:

5.5

Flash Duration:

Brief, not recorded.

Flash Interval:

1.3

Male Height Zone:

Moderate (3-8 ft)

Flash Location:

Over the tops of the herbaceous vegetation in the field and at the field edge.

Male Flash Behavior:

Pairs of yellow pulses, with a pulse period of 1.3-1.4 seconds, a flash pattern period of 5.2-6 seconds, and dark periods/pauses of 3.9-4.7 seconds.

Female Flash Behavior:

Not observed.

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