Observation: Unknown
Primary Observer:
Carl Manthey
Event Date:
2025-08-09
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
Great Marsh, Elverson, PA
Province/State:
Pennsylvania
Event Date:
2025-08-09
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:00
End Time:
21:30
Number of Observers:
5
Primary Observer:
Carl Manthey
Additional Observers:
Myrna Villanueva, Melinda Villanueva, Diana Cormack, Meredith Heffner
target_species_genus:
unknown
target_species_species:
unknown
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
500-1000
Habitat Type:
Open Freshwater Wetland - Wetland Bog, fen, freshwater marsh
Habitat Type Notes:
Elevation (meters):
150 - 200
Area Searched (hectares):
6
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:
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:10
Last Flash Time:
21:20
First Flash Temp (F):
71
Last Flash Temp (F):
71
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
long
Flash Duration:
<0.5 sec
Flash Interval:
long
Male Height Zone:
Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Over a large marshy area with perennials, cattails and reeds. Less than 5 feet over the vegetation.
Male Flash Behavior:
Looking over this marshy area we saw about a dozen flashes (yellow-orange) that were snappy in marked contrast to the slow flashes of the big dipper fireflies active and observed elsewhere. The flashes were about 25-50 yards away accounting for our inability to capture and photograph a specimen. The fireflies seemed to flash once and disappear so we were unable to determine a flash interval.
Female Flash Behavior:
1 thought on “Observation: Unknown”
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This is an intriguing observation! Based on the wetland habitat and the yellow-orange color of the flashes, I wonder if this could be in the Pyractomena genus.