Observation: Unknown

Observation: Unknown

Primary Observer:

Andrew Schrantz

Event Date:

2025-07-12

Status:

Unverified

Survey

Site Name:

Tysons Pimmit Park

Province/State:

Virginia

Event Date:

2025-07-12

Time of Day:

Night-Time

Start Time:

22:30

End Time:

23:30

Number of Observers:

1

Primary Observer:

Andrew Schrantz

Additional Observers:

 

Target Species Genus:

 

Target Species Species:

 

Location and Habitat

Location Accuracy (meters):

0-25

Habitat Type:

Developed - Sub/urban areas; parks/gardens

Habitat Type Notes:

 

Elevation (meters):

114

Area Searched (hectares):

0.5

Artificial Light Sources

Vehicles: No
Street Lights: Yes
Buildings: Yes

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

Artificial Light Notes:

The area is surrounded by light sources (neighborhood on one side, library on another), but the pocket of trees and shrubs is dense enough to block much of this light, leaving a small habitat available

Observation

Observation Type:

Flashing

Number Observed:

11-50

Genus:

unknown

Species:

unknown

Observation Notes:

The pocket of trees I was in had a high concentration of fireflies that I've heard referred to as "Chinese Lanterns" (long flash duration of ~2 seconds, much brighter than other fireflies).

Specimen Voucher Number:

Flash Behavior

First Flash Time:

22:30

Last Flash Time:

23:30

First Flash Temp (F):

80

Last Flash Temp (F):

80

Flashes in Pattern:

1

Flash Color:

Yellow

Flash Pattern Period:

~8

Flash Duration:

2

Flash Interval:

6

Male Height Zone:

Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft), High (over 8 ft)

Flash Location:

Unknown

Male Flash Behavior:

 

Female Flash Behavior:

 

1 thought on “Observation: Unknown”

  1. Thank you for submitting this firefly observation! I am curious about what species you might have seen. The big dipper firefly (Photinus pyralis) is one of the more common firefly species in the DC region, but it typically displays earlier in the evening (artificial light might extend its display time) and low to the ground. Chinese lantern fireflies are in the genus Photuris, and typically have a more green flash color.

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