Observation: Photuris
Primary Observer:
Kaitlin Nelson
Event Date:
2025-07-12
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
My place
Province/State:
Minnesota
Event Date:
2025-07-12
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
22:30
End Time:
23:30
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
Kaitlin Nelson
Additional Observers:
NA
target_species_genus:
unknown
target_species_species:
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Woodland/Forest - Trees dominant, and in the over-story
Habitat Type Notes:
Elevation (meters):
0
Area Searched (hectares):
1
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: No
Street Lights: Yes
Buildings: Yes
Yard lamps
Street Lights: Yes
Buildings: Yes
Yard lamps
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:
Parking lot lights are ~10-12 feet, not as high as some
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
2-10
genus:
photuris
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
22:33
Last Flash Time:
23:20
First Flash Temp (F):
70
Last Flash Temp (F):
68
Flashes in Pattern:
3
Flash Color:
Green
Flash Pattern Period:
1
Flash Duration:
5
Flash Interval:
8
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft), High (over 8 ft)
Flash Location:
On the butt
Male Flash Behavior:
Female Flash Behavior:
1 thought on “Observation: Photuris”
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Thank you for submitting this firefly observation! Based on the later-evening display time and the green flash color, this appears to have been a firefly in the genus Photuris, but it is difficult to confirm without photos.
I realize that “Flash location” is an ambiguous question! It is intending to ask where in the habitat the flashes were seen (eg. up in the treetops, low over the grass, over wetland vegetation…).
A note about flash pattern terminology:
“Flash pattern period” refers to the number of seconds between the start of a flash pattern and the start of the next repetition of that flash pattern. For example, Photinus pyralis typically has a flash pattern period of 5-7 seconds.
“Flash duration” is how long each flash lasts. Usually this is too fast to measure accurately, but you can estimate whether it is more or less than 0.5 seconds, you can enter “not recorded,” or you can do a verbal description (such as “very brief”).
“Flash interval” refers to the time between the end of one flash and the beginning of the next. In species with single flash patterns and short flash durations, this is basically the same as “flash pattern period,” just a little shorter.