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Observation: Microphotus
Primary Observer:
Stephen Hummel
Event Date:
2025-06-27
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
Madera Canyon
Province/State:
Texas
Event Date:
2025-06-27
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
22:15
End Time:
22:45
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
Stephen Hummel
Additional Observers:
NA
Target Species Genus:
Photuris
Target Species Species:
falli
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Riparian - Areas Along lake or stream
Habitat Type Notes:
Mixed shrubs, grass, trees along a creek. The creek is typically dry most of the year, but was flowing strongly during this survey from heavy recent rain.
Elevation (meters):
1776
Area Searched (hectares):
3.3
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:
No artificial light detectable. Natural darkness.
Observation
Observation Type:
Flashing
Number Observed:
2-10
Genus:
Microphotus
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
Two small glow worms located in grass near puddles of water, about 15 meters from the bank of the flowing creek. The area had moderate tree cover, and the ground was muddy.
One glow worm emitted a constant strong glow for 10 continual minutes with no break until I aimed a flashlight at it to identify it.
The second glow worm emitted a weaker, inconsistent glow, before disappearing. I was unable to locate it in the grass to ID.
Both only moved slightly over the 10 minute period.
The night photo is a 30 second exposure. The close up photo is of the individual that glowed continually.
I do not have a positive ID of this glow worm, it may or may not be photuris falli.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
22:20
Last Flash Time:
22:30
First Flash Temp (F):
62
Last Flash Temp (F):
62
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Green
Flash Pattern Period:
Constant glow, no flashing
Flash Duration:
600
Flash Interval:
0
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft)
Flash Location:
On ground, stationary
Male Flash Behavior:
Female Flash Behavior:
1 thought on “Observation: Microphotus”
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Thanks for submitting these observations, Stephen!
The fireflies you found are adult females in the genus Microphotus. The more commonly encountered Microphotus in west Texas is Microphotus octarthrus, but I believe that Microphotus pecosensis has also been recorded in the area.
More information can be found on page 48 of Anna Walker’s Fireflies of the Southwest pdf: https://www.fireflyatlas.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Guide-to-Fireflies-of-the-Southwest_V1_2024.pdf
Photuris falli larvae are oval and dark brown down the center with orange edges. We found a single larva in the dry creek bed of Limpia Creek in August 2023 and the DNA barcoding matched barcodes of adults in the area. https://www.fireflyatlas.org/firefly_observation/36867