Observation: Phausis luminosa
Primary Observer:
Grace Lovett
Event Date:
2025-04-24
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
Undisclosed
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
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
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:
With Flash Data
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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Nice record, Grace! Did Alana look at this specimen to confirm the ID?