Observation: Unknown
Primary Observer:
David
Event Date:
2025-07-23
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
Undisclosed
Province/State:
Maine
Event Date:
2025-07-23
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
21:40
End Time:
21:55
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
David
Additional Observers:
target_species_genus:
target_species_species:
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Grassland/Meadow - Meadow, open, grasses dominant
Habitat Type Notes:
Elevation (meters):
3
Area Searched (hectares):
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:
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
2-10
genus:
unknown
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
Single flashes of 1-2 sec with at least 15 sec between flashes, often longer
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:40
Last Flash Time:
21:55
First Flash Temp (F):
Approx 70
Last Flash Temp (F):
Approx 70
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
1
Flash Duration:
1
Flash Interval:
15 to > 69
Male Height Zone:
Flash Location:
In grass
Male Flash Behavior:
Female Flash Behavior:
1 thought on “Observation: Unknown”
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Thank you for submitting this firefly observation! I am intrigued about what species this might have been, but would need photos of the firefly up close to confidently narrow down the options. There are currently 11 species of flashing fireflies known to occur in Maine.
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.