Observation: Bicellonycha wickershamorum
Primary Observer:
Emily Perkins
Event Date:
2025-08-04
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
Upper Garden Canyon Picnic Area
Province/State:
Arizona
Event Date:
2025-08-04
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
19:35
End Time:
19:38
Number of Observers:
3
Primary Observer:
Emily Perkins
Additional Observers:
Christine Perkins, Robert Perkins
target_species_genus:
target_species_species:
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Habitat Type Notes:
Elevation (meters):
1600
Area Searched (hectares):
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: Yes
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:
11-50
genus:
bicellonycha
Species:
wickershamorum
Observation Notes:
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
19:34
Last Flash Time:
19:38
First Flash Temp (F):
90
Last Flash Temp (F):
90
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
3
Flash Duration:
1
Flash Interval:
2
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft)
Flash Location:
Tall grasses near the picnic area
Male Flash Behavior:
Female Flash Behavior:
1 thought on “Observation: Bicellonycha wickershamorum”
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Thank you for submitting this observation, Emily! These fireflies were most likely the southwest spring firefly (Bicellonycha wickershamorum) based on the early evening display time, the flash pattern description, and the location being a known site for this species.
I am going to leave the observation status as “unverified” because it’s hard to know for sure without a photo of the firefly in hand. The sky island firefly (Photuris falli) has also been recorded in Cochise County, so that is also a possibility, though less likely.