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Observation: Photinus australis
Primary Observer:
Will Kuhn
Event Date:
2025-07-11
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
Hall Bend Trail
Province/State:
Tennessee
Event Date:
2025-07-11
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:30
End Time:
21:00
Number of Observers:
Primary Observer:
Will Kuhn
Additional Observers:
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:
Red cedar, white oak, winged elm, Virginia pine
Edge of closed-canopy forest next to reservoir, and bounded by a strip of high-grass meadow
Elevation (meters):
248
Area Searched (hectares):
0.1
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:
No AL noticed in this patch of closed forest, though it was dusk and sunlight was still filtering in.
Observation
Observation Type:
Flashing
Number Observed:
11-50
Genus:
Photinus
Species:
australis
Observation Notes:
Smaller than pyralis, but hovering about the same height as it (1-2 ft off ground). Collected 4 males in ethanol
iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/297241715
Specimen Voucher Number:
iNat:297241715
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
20:45
Last Flash Time:
21:00
First Flash Temp (F):
~85
Last Flash Temp (F):
~85
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
unknown
Flash Duration:
~0.5
Flash Interval:
unknown
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft)
Flash Location:
Hovering 1-2 ft off ground (similar to P. pyralis) over forest floor under closed canopy
Male Flash Behavior:
Quick, single flash, hovering in place during flash (lacked flash-associated movement), moving a few feet between flashes
Female Flash Behavior:
not observed
1 thought on “Observation: Photinus australis”
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Thanks for this firefly observation! Everything fits with Photinus australis– quick flashes low in forest understory, shorter and proportionally wider than P. pyralis, pale pygidium with dark central marking, dark markings on sides of pronotum, more elongated dark central marking on pronotum, pale brown on posterior edge of ventral segments…