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Observation: Pyractomena dispersa
Primary Observer:
Cheryl Mollohan
Event Date:
2025-06-27
Status:
Unreviewed
Survey
Site Name:
PS Ranch Wildlife Area AZGFD
Province/State:
Arizona
Event Date:
2025-06-27
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
19:50
End Time:
21:30
Number of Observers:
5
Primary Observer:
Cheryl Mollohan
Additional Observers:
Ron Day, Bob Hernbrode, Sue Sitko, Bruce Sitko
Target Species Genus:
Pyractomena
Target Species Species:
dispersa
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Grassland/Meadow - Meadow, open, grasses dominant
Habitat Type Notes:
Wet high elevation meadow with the west fork of Black River running through it. Willow community streamside. Fireflies were found in the "green zone" in and near willows and sitting on green herbaceous vegetation in association with the River course. Species of plants along with the common stream-side willow included: Few seed sedge (Carex oligosperma) Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis), Bigelow's Sneezeweed (Helenium bigelovii). Side channels were dry - area in the Green zone where fireflies were active still had damp soil. They did not utilize areas of vegetation that were dry and not green.
Elevation (meters):
2309
Area Searched (hectares):
.3872
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:
Remote site - very little artificial light. Dirt USFS roads.
Observation
Observation Type:
Flashing
Number Observed:
50+
Genus:
Pyractomena
Species:
dispersa
Observation Notes:
Males were sitting on low herbaceous vegetation flashing as were females. A few males were flying.
Specimen Voucher Number:
WM-CM-2025-05, WM-CM-2025-06, WM-CM-2025-7
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
19:59
Last Flash Time:
21:28
First Flash Temp (F):
63.5
Last Flash Temp (F):
55.9
Flashes in Pattern:
4
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
Not recorded
Flash Duration:
Not recorded
Flash Interval:
Not recorded
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Flash was yellow-orange. Orange was more evident when flying and emitting flicker flash. Males on vegetation were just flashing 4 flashes with yellow as the predominant color.
Male Flash Behavior:
Primarily sitting on herbaceous vegetation about 12-14" in height. Some males were flying. Flying males emitted flicker flash while those sitting on the vegetation emitted a 4 pulse flash then were dark for several seconds.
Female Flash Behavior:
Females were sitting on low growing herbaceous vegetation and either emitting a slow glow or a faint pulse.
