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Observation: Photinus pyralis
Primary Observer:
Gale Long
Event Date:
2025-07-22
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
Home
Province/State:
Arkansas
Event Date:
2025-07-22
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:00
End Time:
20:20
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
Gale Long
Additional Observers:
Target Species Genus:
unknown
Target Species Species:
unknown
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
>1000
Habitat Type:
Woodland/Forest - Trees dominant, and in the over-story
Habitat Type Notes:
Observation took place in my yard with a view of the tree line at the woods and open pasture. Trees: Oak, Hickory, Cedar. Grass is mostly bermuda but the woods are all native plants.
Elevation (meters):
75
Area Searched (hectares):
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:
Observation
Observation Type:
Flashing
Number Observed:
50+
Genus:
Photinus
Species:
pyralis
Observation Notes:
Flashes happened every five seconds. Pattern was a flash and then they would fly up or over and flash again.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
20:00
Last Flash Time:
20:20
First Flash Temp (F):
90
Last Flash Temp (F):
89
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
one flash every 5 seconds
Flash Duration:
1
Flash Interval:
five seconds between flashes
Male Height Zone:
Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Flashes were everywhere. Over mowed yard with hickory and oak trees. Along the tree line of the woods. Across the open pasture; however, there were not as many seen over the pasture.
Male Flash Behavior:
Female Flash Behavior:
1 thought on “Observation: Photinus pyralis”
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Thank you for submitting this firefly observation! Nice job getting both a photo of the firefly and the timing of its flash pattern. These are big dipper fireflies (Photinus pyralis), which are pretty adaptable to areas with mowed turf grass.