Observation: Photinus macdermotti
Primary Observer:
Michelle Wilcox
Event Date:
2025-05-29
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
Undisclosed
Province/State:
South Carolina
Event Date:
2025-05-29
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:29
End Time:
23:00
Number of Observers:
2
Primary Observer:
Michelle Wilcox
Additional Observers:
Thomas Clawson
target_species_genus:
photuris
target_species_species:
forresti
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Open Freshwater Wetland - Wetland Bog, fen, freshwater marsh
Habitat Type Notes:
Beaver Pond. Loblolly and Longleaf pines. Sweet and Red Bays, Ilex glabra, oaks, Cyrilla racemiflora (Titi), Persimmon, Rhus copalanum (winged sumac), Gallberry, Magnolia virginiana, Smilax, Dogwood, Pond Lilly, Cat tails, Sedges, red maple, broadleaf arrowhead
Elevation (meters):
72
Area Searched (hectares):
0.3
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: No
Street Lights: No
Buildings: Yes
city glow from Columbia
Street Lights: No
Buildings: Yes
city glow from Columbia
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:
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
2-10
genus:
photinus
Species:
macdermotti
Observation Notes:
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:30
Last Flash Time:
22:30
First Flash Temp (F):
69
Last Flash Temp (F):
69
Flashes in Pattern:
2
Flash Color:
Green
Flash Pattern Period:
10
Flash Duration:
0.2
Flash Interval:
3
Male Height Zone:
Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Open and canopied forest
Male Flash Behavior:
Double flash, but separated by 3 seconds.
Female Flash Behavior:
1 thought on “Observation: Photinus macdermotti”
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Thanks for this firefly observation! The flash pattern details are consistent with Photinus macdermotti (perhaps with a slightly longer flash interval and flash pattern period), and I think this is most likely the correct ID. The only thing that gives me pause is that it is a bit late in the evening (1 hour after sunset), and without a photo of the firefly, there could be some doubt as to whether it could have been a Photuris female.