Observation: Photinus
Primary Observer:
Virginia Friedman
Event Date:
2025-05-30
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
Mansfield, TX
Province/State:
Texas
Event Date:
2025-05-30
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:30
End Time:
20:31
Number of Observers:
2
Primary Observer:
Virginia Friedman
Additional Observers:
Howard Friedman
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:
Tall Post Oaks, other oak trees, two young pecan trees, grasses, Mexican petunias plants, two big fig trees, many ferns planted in pots.
An organic area with mostly mint plants and few rosemary plants.
I like to keep the all the yard (back and front ) natural, there are no fertilizers or pesticides around.
Elevation (meters):
180 meters
Area Searched (hectares):
house back yard
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: No
Street Lights: No
Buildings: Yes
Street Lights: No
Buildings: Yes
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:
Mansfield is not a rural area, but is by no means a a big city either ( it has 70,000 hab.). So there is not a lot of artificial lights around.
Our back yard , where the few fireflies are seen every year is rather dark. I see them mostly the next days after the rain.
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
2-10
genus:
photinus
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
Appear to be flying around and flashing at the same time. Appear to cover large distances rapidly. They are not shy, they fly near us.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
19:30
Last Flash Time:
19:33
First Flash Temp (F):
around 80 F
Last Flash Temp (F):
around 80 F
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
unknown
Flash Duration:
about 3 seconds
Flash Interval:
15 seconds
Male Height Zone:
Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
flash is fast, one here one there. They seem to fly fast.
Male Flash Behavior:
unknown
Female Flash Behavior:
unknown
