Observation: Pyropyga minuta
Primary Observer:
Rachel Irvin
Event Date:
2025-08-07
Status:
Unreviewed
Survey
Site Name:
Big Cottonwood Regional Park
Province/State:
Utah
Event Date:
2025-08-07
Time of Day:
Day-Time
Start Time:
10:30
End Time:
10:45
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
Rachel Irvin
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:
This park has invasive thistles, russian olives, teasles, and fragmites. Native plants seem to have been planted throughout the area, such as milkweed, yerba mansa, and goldenrod. Other insects observed in the area include monarch butterflies, cabbage white butterflies, sweat bees, bumble bees, Melissodes bees, and moths. Cottonwood trees are found throughout the park, and were growing and creating shade where the fireflies were found. The small area where the fireflies were found was defined by tall grasses, bald faced hornets, yellow jacket wasps, jumping spiders, and mowed grasses were adjacent to the tall grasses. Fireflies were not found in the mowed sections.
Elevation (meters):
1341
Area Searched (hectares):
0.001
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: Yes
Street Lights: Yes
Buildings: Yes
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
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): Yes
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): No
Artificial Light Notes:
I have only ever observed this area in the day. The small spot that had the fireflies may be in a protected spot from much light, but I'm not sure. A baseball/softball field lies to the west, wetland and trails to the east, a playground and recreation center to the south, and trails to the north. Surrounding the park is an urban area comprised of large roads, traffic, a ranching property, and parking lots. Diffuse sky glow is a constant presence due to the large city.
Observation
Observation Type:
Non-Flashing
Number Observed:
11-50
Genus:
Pyropyga
Species:
minuta
Observation Notes:
This observation includes multiple specimens. Fireflies were observed walking, flying, and mating on the tall grasses. Males and females appeared to be the same general size with no obvious visual differences. I didn't have a ruler, but the beetles were very, very small. I have provided a photo to show that they were smaller than my index fingernail. I am not 100% on the identification, but it does not look like Pyropyga nigricans to me. Jumping spiders were crawling through the grasses, possibly hunting the beetles? Yellow jacket wasps and bald faced hornets were also flying and hunting in the grasses. The site seems to be consistently in the shade.
