Observation: Microphotus
Primary Observer:
David Orr
Event Date:
2025-08-25
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
Tumacacori National Historical Park Anza Trail
Province/State:
Arizona
Event Date:
2025-08-25
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
19:44
End Time:
20:25
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
David Orr
Additional Observers:
Target Species Genus:
unknown
Target Species Species:
unknown
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Riparian - Areas Along lake or stream
Habitat Type Notes:
Mesquite, cottonwood, and willow
Elevation (meters):
1005.84
Area Searched (hectares):
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:
Non-Flashing
Number Observed:
1
Genus:
Microphotus
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
Pink glowworm on ground.
One flashing firefly in air, and one flashing firefly on ground observed nearby as well.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
Last Flash Time:
First Flash Temp (F):
Last Flash Temp (F):
Flashes in Pattern:
Flash Color:
Flash Pattern Period:
Flash Duration:
Flash Interval:
Male Height Zone:
Flash Location:
Male Flash Behavior:
Female Flash Behavior:
3 thoughts on “Observation: Microphotus”
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Thank you for submitting this glow-worm firefly observation! This is an adult female glow-worm in the genus Microphotus. The most common species in this area is Microphotus dilatatus, but we currently can only definitively ID the males, not the females. You can read more about Microphotus in Anna Walker’s Guide to Fireflies of the Southwest: https://www.fireflyatlas.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Guide-to-Fireflies-of-the-Southwest_V1_2024.pdf
Thank you for the ID help, Richard, I truly appreciate it! It was a fun find. I hope to get down there again sometime to see the fireflies as there were not many out the night I visited. Thanks also for the link to Anna Walker’s very comprehensive guide, I look forward to reading it and learning more!
That is so neat! I have never Sean a glow-worm in AZ before.