Observation: Phausis luminosa

Observation: Phausis luminosa

Primary Observer:

Grace Lovett

Event Date:

2025-04-24

Status:

Verified

Survey

Site Name:

Stone Prairie WMA

Province/State:

Arkansas

Event Date:

2025-04-24

Time of Day:

Night-Time

Start Time:

20:40

End Time:

22:40

Number of Observers:

2

Primary Observer:

Grace Lovett

Additional Observers:

Alec Williams

Target Species Genus:

Phausis

Target Species Species:

luminosa

Location and Habitat

Location Accuracy (meters):

0-25

Habitat Type:

Grassland/Meadow - Meadow, open, grasses dominant

Habitat Type Notes:

Savanna and prairie restoration. On the slope there is a rich native grass and forbes species such as big blue stem, butterfly pea, ferns, native lespedeza, milkweeds. Surrounding vegetation on the prairie is native grasses but with some invasives. Tree species include post oak, some hickory, and pines. Mostly herbaceous understory.

Elevation (meters):

168

Area Searched (hectares):

3 hectares

Artificial Light Sources

Vehicles: Yes
Street Lights: No
Buildings: Yes

Artificial Light Types

Sky Glow (diffuse illumination in the sky): Yes
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): No
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): No

Artificial Light Notes:

Only some vehicles are noticeable but this area is not heavily populated and traffic is infrequent late at night. Sky glow from distant cities is notable here but still dark enough for the sky glow to not light the way,

Observation

Observation Type:

Flashing

Number Observed:

2-10

Genus:

Phausis

Species:

luminosa

Observation Notes:

Very small specimen less than 1 mm, was flashing on the slope of the savanna and would fly just above the vegetation (less than 5 ft above the ground). Glows while flies erratically then once landed does not glow. Has also displayed the long glows with some rapid flashes in between seemingly without pattern.

Specimen Voucher Number:

GLSPWMAPLM1, GLSPWMAPLM2

Flash Behavior

First Flash Time:

21:40

Last Flash Time:

22:10

First Flash Temp (F):

78

Last Flash Temp (F):

78

Flashes in Pattern:

>4

Flash Color:

Blue

Flash Pattern Period:

6-8 seconds

Flash Duration:

1-3 seconds

Flash Interval:

10 seconds or longer

Male Height Zone:

Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft)

Flash Location:

Low to the ground and close to vegetation, Not one flew above or close my head and I am 5.9.

Male Flash Behavior:

erratic blinks with long glows in the same pattern

Female Flash Behavior:

N/a

1 thought on “Observation: Phausis luminosa”

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