Observation: Unknown
Primary Observer:
Seraina Rioult-Pedotti
Event Date:
2025-06-30
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
Undisclosed
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
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
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:
With Flash Data
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”
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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.