Observation: Photuris douglasae
Primary Observer:
Elizabeth Shultz
Event Date:
2025-08-03
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge Wings Marsh
Province/State:
Florida
Event Date:
2025-08-03
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:40
End Time:
22:45
Number of Observers:
9
Primary Observer:
Elizabeth Shultz
Additional Observers:
Val Hahn, Rochelle Hood, Natalie Al-Shihabi, Joan Tague, Chelsea LeNoble, John Van Bergen, Christine, Michelle Wilbur
target_species_genus:
unknown
target_species_species:
unknown
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
25-50
Habitat Type:
Open Freshwater Wetland - Wetland Bog, fen, freshwater marsh
Habitat Type Notes:
Observers stayed on elevated path that was bordered by the marsh. A lot of saltmarsh mallow, southern live oak trees on elevated area of path, swamp dock, leafy bladderwort, scarlet rose mallow has been observed here, alligator flag
Elevation (meters):
20
Area Searched (hectares):
50
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:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
50+
genus:
photuris
Species:
douglasae
Observation Notes:
There were more than 50 fireflies, but fewer fireflies than the last survey on July 22.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:00
Last Flash Time:
22:45
First Flash Temp (F):
81
Last Flash Temp (F):
81
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
3
Flash Duration:
.1
Flash Interval:
3 seconds
Male Height Zone:
Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Over a freshwater marsh
Male Flash Behavior:
Female Flash Behavior:
1 thought on “Observation: Photuris douglasae”
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Thanks for this firefly observation! Based on the ~11 mm length, the moderate darkness of the hind coxae, the wetland habitat, and the time of year (late summer), I am tentatively identifying this as Photuris douglasae. Other species of similar size and hind coxae coloration have more distinctive flash patterns, such as flickers in Photuris stanleyi, crescendo flashes in Photuris Photuris carrorum, and groups of flashes in Photuris sivinskii.