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
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
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:
With Flash Data
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.
