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Observation: Bicellonycha wickershamorum
Primary Observer:
Julius Schlosburg
Event Date:
2025-08-17
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
Las Cienegas National Conservation Area
Province/State:
Arizona
Event Date:
2025-08-17
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
19:15
End Time:
20:15
Number of Observers:
3
Primary Observer:
Julius Schlosburg
Additional Observers:
Joe Cicero
Eirini Pajak
Target Species Genus:
Photinus
Target Species Species:
knulli
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Riparian - Areas Along lake or stream
Habitat Type Notes:
The site is a marsh which sits within a confluence basin, in quaternary alluvium. The basin is unique within the conservation area as most of the waterways under protection are seasonal, whereas the basin contains perennial water in both streams, pools, and the marsh. The basin is dominated by cottonwood and mesquite trees, as well as grasses - native gramas and river grasses like sacaton, as well as invasives like lovegrass. The marsh is carpeted in yerba manza which sits in about half an inch of standing water.
Elevation (meters):
4204
Area Searched (hectares):
4
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:
11-50
Genus:
Bicellonycha
Species:
wickershamorum
Observation Notes:
I found a heretofore (to my knowledge) unknown population of BW at this site in their usual season earlier this year, with very large numbers. We returned to the site to see if photinus knulli were also present, as the two often will share the same habitat, partitioned spatially when they occur at the same time, or partitioned temporally, with knulli following the decline of the bicellonycha. We were shocked to find the BW population still flashing, and no sightings of knulli, indicating that knulli have likely been completely extirpated from this habitat. I nor my companions have ever observed BW this late in the year, and know of no other population which lasts this long. I believe this is likely the healthiest population of bicellonycha wickershamorum still extant. The habitat, based on satellite imagery, extends far beyond where we explored.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
19:15
Last Flash Time:
20:15
First Flash Temp (F):
unknown
Last Flash Temp (F):
unknown
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
0.4
Flash Duration:
0.4
Flash Interval:
6-10
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft), High (over 8 ft)
Flash Location:
We observed flashing near where there was water on the ground - either in the marsh or nearby pools.
Male Flash Behavior:
The males began low and some eventually reached to the bottom of the tree canopy after about 45 minutes.
Female Flash Behavior:
Typical female behavior - they stayed low among the yerba manza and grasses. We observed several flash backs to males.
