Observation: Photinus obscurellus
Primary Observer:
Paige Brownscombe
Event Date:
2025-06-29
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
Undisclosed
Province/State:
British Columbia
Event Date:
2025-06-29
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
22:30
End Time:
23:30
Number of Observers:
2
Primary Observer:
Paige Brownscombe
Additional Observers:
Levi Brownscombe
target_species_genus:
photinus
target_species_species:
obscurellus
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
25-50
Habitat Type:
Riparian - Areas Along lake or stream
Habitat Type Notes:
Forested Lakeshore area around Teapot Lake, mature Spruce/Balsam forest with small component of dead Pine in overstory. Understory continuous cover of huckleberry and oak fern along forested areas with dense cover of horsetail, black twin berry and willows along lakeshore edge.
Elevation (meters):
945
Area Searched (hectares):
0.5
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: No
Street Lights: No
Buildings: No
Campfire glow
Street Lights: No
Buildings: No
Campfire glow
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:
Campfire at our camp may have cast some light on observed lakefront location, but most campfire light was blocked by stationary vehicle not emitting any light between campsite and lake
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
2-10
genus:
photinus
Species:
obscurellus
Observation Notes:
Fireflies displaying 2-flash pattern. 2 slow flashes ~1 second long approx 2 seconds apart, variable intervals between flash pairings but generally ~10 seconds. Individuals flying along open lakeshore area 2-8 feet above ground. Variable flight patterns during/between flashes, sometimes linear, sometimes changing direction between flashes 1 and 2. Difficult to determine # of individuals or whether male or females observed.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
22:30
Last Flash Time:
23:30
First Flash Temp (F):
59
Last Flash Temp (F):
53
Flashes in Pattern:
2
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
4
Flash Duration:
1
Flash Interval:
2
Male Height Zone:
Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Along lakeshore at edge of forest, 2-8 feet above ground
Male Flash Behavior:
Female Flash Behavior:
1 thought on “Observation: Photinus obscurellus”
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This is a great record! Very nicely done with the documentation of the flash pattern.