Observation: Bicellonycha wickershamorum

Observation: Bicellonycha wickershamorum

Primary Observer:

Nicole Gonzalez

Event Date:

2025-07-01

Status:

Verified

Survey

Site Name:

Coronado National Memorial - Sparkes Spring

Province/State:

Arizona

Event Date:

2025-07-01

Time of Day:

Night-Time

Start Time:

18:41

End Time:

20:45

Number of Observers:

2

Primary Observer:

Nicole Gonzalez

Additional Observers:

Henry Westly

Target Species Genus:

Bicellonycha

Target Species Species:

wickershamorum

Location and Habitat

Location Accuracy (meters):

0-25

Habitat Type:

Riparian - Areas Along lake or stream

Habitat Type Notes:

Ephemeral stream corridor, Montezuma Canyon, with nearly perennial natural rheocrene spring (Sparke's Spring). Site has no surface water at time of survey, but soil is moist from subsurface water and recent rain. Riparian woodland dominated by a canopy of mixed oak, juniper, and sycamore. Stream channel dominated by seep willow, deer grass, and rushes. Substrate is primarily gravel covered with leaf litter with some larger dispersed rocks.

Elevation (meters):

1704

Area Searched (hectares):

<1

Artificial Light Sources

Vehicles: Yes
Street Lights: No
Buildings: No

Artificial Light Types

Sky Glow (diffuse illumination in the sky): Yes
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): No
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): No

Artificial Light Notes:

 

Observation

Observation Type:

Flashing

Number Observed:

2-10

Genus:

Bicellonycha

Species:

wickershamorum

Observation Notes:

Body length approx. 1 cm. Dull yellow margins and suture. Some individuals observed crawling in leaf litter (while not flashing). One individual preyed upon by an antlion during survey.

Specimen Voucher Number:

Flash Behavior

First Flash Time:

19:40

Last Flash Time:

20:45

First Flash Temp (F):

76.7

Last Flash Temp (F):

77.1

Flashes in Pattern:

1

Flash Color:

Yellow

Flash Pattern Period:

irregular

Flash Duration:

1

Flash Interval:

3-5

Male Height Zone:

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

Flash Location:

Flashes occurred both during flight and while stationary. Generally, flashing was low to the ground or on the ground but occurred as high as ~8ft later in the night. Flashers in flight would at times, fly the length of the stream corridor and onto the upland. Stationary flashers were sometimes at tips of vegetation or on rocks.

Male Flash Behavior:

Flash pattern seemed irregular and inconsistent, perhaps due to predator species being abundant in the area. Survey ended before flashing completely ceased.

Female Flash Behavior:

n/a

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This is a project of the Xerces Society, working in collaboration with the IUCN SSC Firefly Specialist Group and New Mexico BioPark Society.

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