Observation: Photuris forresti
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:
photuris
Species:
forresti
Observation Notes:
Started flashing at 1011, we left at 1100 and they were still flashing. Color can be described as yellow and green.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
22:11
Last Flash Time:
23:00
First Flash Temp (F):
69
Last Flash Temp (F):
69
Flashes in Pattern:
>4
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
5-10
Flash Duration:
0.1
Flash Interval:
0.1
Male Height Zone:
Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Over standing water, over land near flowing water.
Male Flash Behavior:
Circular loops, taller than they were wide. One would loop, then fly parallel to the ground 5-10 feet and perform another loop.
Female Flash Behavior:
1 thought on “Observation: Photuris forresti”
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Thanks so much for submitting this survey and observation! I have marked the observation status as unverified just because of the lack of photos, but all of the data you collected fits well with Photuris forresti. This is a unique record because it is at/below the fall-line.