Observation: Unknown

Observation: Unknown

Primary Observer:

Seraina Rioult-Pedotti

Event Date:

2025-06-30

Status:

Unreviewed

Survey

Site Name:

 

Province/State:

Massachusetts

Event Date:

2025-06-30

Time of Day:

Night-Time

Start Time:

21:45

End Time:

22:25

Number of Observers:

2

Primary Observer:

Seraina Rioult-Pedotti

Additional Observers:

Tyler Manning

Target Species Genus:

 

Target Species Species:

 

Location and Habitat

Location Accuracy (meters):

0-25

Habitat Type:

Developed - Sub/urban areas; parks/gardens

Habitat Type Notes:

A large mown lawn bordered by tall trees (coniferous and deciduous) that line a small, eutrophic pond.

Elevation (meters):

40

Area Searched (hectares):

 

Artificial Light Sources

Vehicles: No
Street Lights: Yes
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

Artificial Light Notes:

Pretty minimal at the tree line where the fireflies were, but there’s a few porch lights and one streetlight in the vicinity.

Observation

Observation Type:

Flashing

Number Observed:

50+

Genus:

unknown

Species:

unknown

Observation Notes:

I haven’t seen this many fireflies in one place in all my life! There were hundreds of not thousands. As a kid, there used to be a field near my house that was abundant in fireflies but they disappeared due to development. I never thought I’d see so many in one place again, but tonight blew my mind. I actually shed a tear seeing them all. It was like fireworks or pop rocks going off. Not sure the species since I couldn’t really keep track of any one, but some green variety, probably photinus. We didn’t have any measuring tools but they were definitely around 1/2 inch or less, not one inch

Specimen Voucher Number:

Flash Behavior

First Flash Time:

21:45

Last Flash Time:

22:25

First Flash Temp (F):

77

Last Flash Temp (F):

77

Flashes in Pattern:

>4

Flash Color:

Green

Flash Pattern Period:

?

Flash Duration:

<1

Flash Interval:

?

Male Height Zone:

Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft), High (over 8 ft)

Flash Location:

For flashes in pattern I had to select an answer but I don’t actually know! Sorry! I didn’t know this website existed until after I saw them. Also I don’t know if I saw males flashing or females but the fireflies were at all heights, from in the grass to the tops of the trees

Male Flash Behavior:

 

Female Flash Behavior:

 

1 thought on “Observation: Unknown”

  1. Thanks for submitting this observation! Sounds like an incredible viewing experience! In New England at this time of year, a tree-bordered field can easily have 4 or more species of fireflies flashing over the course of a night, but if I had to guess based on the info provided, I think the dominant fireflies flashing were likely in the genus Photuris. They have a greenish light and tend to flash later into the evening than several of the Photinus fireflies we have in the area.

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