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Observation: Photinus scintillans
Primary Observer:
Carl Manthey
Event Date:
2025-06-21
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
Great Marsh, Elverson, PA
Province/State:
Pennsylvania
Event Date:
2025-06-21
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:30
End Time:
22:00
Number of Observers:
4
Primary Observer:
Carl Manthey
Additional Observers:
Bernard Brown, Myrna Villanueva, Diana Cormack
Target Species Genus:
unknown
Target Species Species:
unknown
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
500-1000
Habitat Type:
Open Freshwater Wetland - Wetland Bog, fen, freshwater marsh
Habitat Type Notes:
Habitat is highly variable. Land was originally a large marsh. It was briefly drained and used as a dairy farm until the 1950s. At that time, it was allowed to revert to a marsh, although a number of ponds were built. The area viewed includes wet marsh with cattails, ponds with spatterdock, swamp with black willow, wet meadows with native perennials, mowed grassy paths, and higher ground with red maple, black cherry, spicebush, and oak. There are also a couple soybean fields and a sheep pasture.
Elevation (meters):
150 - 200
Area Searched (hectares):
7
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:
Observation
Observation Type:
Flashing
Number Observed:
50+
Genus:
Photinus
Species:
scintillans
Observation Notes:
Small.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
20:52
Last Flash Time:
22:00
First Flash Temp (F):
78
Last Flash Temp (F):
78
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
2
Flash Duration:
brief <0.5
Flash Interval:
~2
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Edge of bass pond and elsewhere including just over the tops of 4 foot tall grass/perennial meadow plants and in shrubs.
Male Flash Behavior:
Snappy - like a low power firecracker once every 2 seconds (5 flashes in 10 seconds) while flying in a line.
