Observation: Unknown
Primary Observer:
Joyce Tibbetts
Event Date:
2025-07-05
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
West Brookfield
Province/State:
Massachusetts
Event Date:
2025-07-05
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
21:30
End Time:
22:30
Number of Observers:
one
Primary Observer:
Joyce Tibbetts
Additional Observers:
NA
target_species_genus:
unknown
target_species_species:
unknown
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Woodland/Forest - Trees dominant, and in the over-story
Habitat Type Notes:
Elevation (meters):
730 feet
Area Searched (hectares):
I apologize I don't know what a hectares is, but the area is a typical back yard abutting the woods, sparsely populated residential area
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:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
11-50
genus:
unknown
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
So earlier in the season I observed a flash pattern of just one, sometimes two flashes, then I started seeing three and four flashes! Sometimes with the three flash, the third one is shorter. And generally the two, three, and four flash is quick. This current sighting there were mostly two flashes, and the flashes were slow.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:30
Last Flash Time:
22:30
First Flash Temp (F):
69f
Last Flash Temp (F):
67f
Flashes in Pattern:
2
Flash Color:
White
Flash Pattern Period:
~3 seconds
Flash Duration:
1 second
Flash Interval:
1-2 seconds
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft), High (over 8 ft)
Flash Location:
In this area I am observing firefly activity way up high at the tops of the tall trees, AND low near the ground.
Male Flash Behavior:
Apologies, I don't know male from female fireflies! How on earth can one tell?!
Female Flash Behavior:
1 thought on “Observation: Unknown”
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Thank you for this firefly observation! It’s awesome that you are noticing the diversity of flash patterns in your area. In Massachusetts, single flashers include Pyractomena borealis, Photinus ignitus, Photinus marginellus, and Photuris stevensae. There is a group of dusk-displaying fireflies (Photinus greeni, Photinus consanguineus, and Photinus macdermotti) whose flashes always come in pairs (a double flash pattern). And fireflies with flash patterns of 3-4 flashes include Photuris stevensae, Photuris fairchildi, and Photinus obscurellus.
This can be overwhelming as you are starting out, so don’t be discouraged!
As far as telling males from females– the most sure way to tell is to catch one and look at its light organs, but generally speaking, males are more likely to be flying and flashing a lot, while females are more likely to be perched and only flashing occasionally or in response to males.
A hectare is about 2.5 acres, or 100 meters by 100 meters.