Observation: Pyractomena ecostata

Observation: Pyractomena ecostata

Primary Observer:

Richard Joyce

Event Date:

2022-07-04

Status:

Verified

Survey

Site Name:

Bennett's Pier Road Salt Marsh, Kent County

Province/State:

Delaware

Event Date:

2022-07-04

Time of Day:

Night-Time

Start Time:

20:36

End Time:

22:30

Number of Observers:

1

Primary Observer:

Richard Joyce

Additional Observers:

NA

Target Species Genus:

Pyractomena

Target Species Species:

ecostata

Location and Habitat

Location Accuracy (meters):

0-25

Habitat Type:

Tidal Marsh - Salt marsh or brackish marsh

Habitat Type Notes:

Salt marsh dominated by short Spartina alterniflora, with small areas of Spartina patens. Higher areas also had Phragmites australis and Iva frutescens.

Elevation (meters):

1

Area Searched (hectares):

1.5

Artificial Light Sources

Vehicles: Yes
Street Lights: No
Buildings: No
Fireworks

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): Yes

Artificial Light Notes:

Main ALAN was vehicle headlights and fireworks. There was also glare and skyglow from coastal development in Bowers to the northwest.

Observation

Observation Type:

Flashing

Number Observed:

11-50

Genus:

Pyractomena

Species:

ecostata

Observation Notes:

Body length of ~15 mm. Noticeably higher, slower, and greener than the flashes of Photuris that I was seeing. Very flattened appearance to the body shape and the abdomen. Rather docile when captured.

Specimen Voucher Number:

Flash Behavior

First Flash Time:

21:25

Last Flash Time:

22:30

First Flash Temp (F):

70

Last Flash Temp (F):

70.2

Flashes in Pattern:

1

Flash Color:

Green

Flash Pattern Period:

4-8 seconds

Flash Duration:

0.2 seconds

Flash Interval:

4-8 seconds

Male Height Zone:

Moderate (3-8 ft), High (over 8 ft)

Flash Location:

Flashes were mostly at a height of 4-7 feet over the saltmarsh.

Male Flash Behavior:

Bright/large green flashes that seemed to end with a trailing, falling glow. Variable flash intervals, from 4 to 8 seconds.

Female Flash Behavior:

Not observed.

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