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Observation: Photuris
Primary Observer:
Jeffrey Calta
Event Date:
2025-07-14
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
Fairview Township
Province/State:
Pennsylvania
Event Date:
2025-07-14
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
21:00
End Time:
22:30
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
Jeffrey Calta
Additional Observers:
Target Species Genus:
unknown
Target Species Species:
unknown
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
250-500
Habitat Type:
Grassland/Meadow - Meadow, open, grasses dominant
Habitat Type Notes:
Riparian, tree line close to stream, grass fields
Elevation (meters):
400
Area Searched (hectares):
4
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): Yes
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:
11-50
Genus:
Photuris
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
Numerous individuals in tree tops
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
22:00
Last Flash Time:
22:30
First Flash Temp (F):
74
Last Flash Temp (F):
72
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Green
Flash Pattern Period:
3
Flash Duration:
0.5
Flash Interval:
3
Male Height Zone:
High (over 8 ft)
Flash Location:
Tree branches from low to top of tree
Male Flash Behavior:
1 green flash every 3 secs.
Female Flash Behavior:
None
1 thought on “Observation: Photuris”
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Thanks for this firefly observation! Based on the green flash color and tree-top location, these certainly sound like Photuris! I changed the species ID from Photuris versicolor to “Photuris unknown” because to confirm P. versicolor I would want to see a multi-pulse flash pattern and dark hind coxae. In the Firefly Atlas, we use “Photuris versicolor” more narrowly to refer to P. versicolor in the sense of Barber and Lloyd, not just for any “Photuris versicolor complex” member.
Tree-top Photuris are such a mystery!