Observation: Photuris forresti
Primary Observer:
Richard Joyce
Event Date:
2022-05-24
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
Hard Labor Creek State Park, Beaver Pond Nature Trail
Province/State:
Georgia
Event Date:
2022-05-24
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:40
End Time:
22:45
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
Richard Joyce
Additional Observers:
NA
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:
Open wetland along small creek, beaver influenced. Plants included cutgrass (Leersia), willows, alders, broadleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia) and Murdannia. Wetland bound by hardwood forest with American Beech component.
Elevation (meters):
183
Area Searched (hectares):
0.5
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): 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:
Minimal artificial light except for some sky glow.
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
11-50
genus:
photuris
Species:
forresti
Observation Notes:
Photos are of male and female. Unfortunately no ventral photos for male. Female had faint, pale elytral stripes.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:05
Last Flash Time:
22:40
First Flash Temp (F):
74.7
Last Flash Temp (F):
67.9
Flashes in Pattern:
>4
Flash Color:
Green
Flash Pattern Period:
Not recorded
Flash Duration:
0.2
Flash Interval:
0.3
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Male flashes were at heights that ranged from knee-high to over head height, displaying in rising and falling trajectories in fairly discrete areas. Female flashes were from grass and woody vegetation foliage in wetland.
Male Flash Behavior:
Males flashed in rising and falling trajectories over herbaceous vegetation and woody vegetation. Pulse duration and flash interval were difficult to measure/estimate, but flash/pulse period within flash patterns was generally between 0.4 and 0.6 seconds, with entire flash patterns lasting 3 to 3.3 seconds and containing 5-7 flashes.
Female Flash Behavior:
Several females observed flashing repeatedly and erratically from the grass.
