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Observation: Photinus
Primary Observer:
Tyler Hostuttler
Event Date:
2025-06-27
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
House
Province/State:
Ohio
Event Date:
2025-06-27
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
21:00
End Time:
22:30
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
Tyler Hostuttler
Additional Observers:
NA
Target Species Genus:
unknown
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:
In my back yard, which is right on the edge of woodlands. My yard and the woodlands are separated by a small stream. Fireflies are mostly in the trees but there are still plenty around my yard and even up to my porch. This is a relatively rural area but there are fireflies around the other houses in the area as seen from my yard.
Elevation (meters):
215
Area Searched (hectares):
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: No
Street Lights: No
Buildings: Yes
Street Lights: No
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:
Observation
Observation Type:
Flashing
Number Observed:
50+
Genus:
Photinus
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
I am not very familiar with fireflies. The one from my pictures was dying, but it is the only one I could "catch" to include pictures of. There are also way too many at too many different heights for me to possibly include every kind that I could see.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:00
Last Flash Time:
22:40
First Flash Temp (F):
79
Last Flash Temp (F):
76
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
Varies (various patterns spotted)
Flash Duration:
Varies (various patterns spotted)
Flash Interval:
Varies (various patterns spotted)
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft), High (over 8 ft)
Flash Location:
In trees mostly, but some are on the ground, some in the midstory, and others near the canopy. Some are flying around the yard at various heights.
Male Flash Behavior:
Some have dull flashes, some are bright, some flash quickly, others seem to pulsate, etc. The lightning, wind, and rain did not seem to stop a lot of them from flashing.
Female Flash Behavior:
Some have dull flashes, some are bright, some flash quickly, others seem to pulsate, etc. The lightning, wind, and rain did not seem to stop a lot of them from flashing.
1 thought on “Observation: Photinus”
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Nice photos of a female firefly in the genus Photinus! You can tell it’s a female by the single, central lantern (light organ). Based on the photos, this could either be Photinus pyralis or Photinus marginellus.