Observation: Photuris forresti

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

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

Artificial Light Notes:

Minimal artificial light except for some sky glow.

Observation

Observation Type:

Flashing

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.

Leave a Comment

Connect

Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates.

Follow

Follow the Xerces Society.

Share

Share this page.

Support

Support the Xerces Society's conservation work.

This is a project of the Xerces Society, working in collaboration with the IUCN SSC Firefly Specialist Group and New Mexico BioPark Society.

Copyright © 2025 The Xerces Society •1631 NE Broadway Street, #821 • Portland OR 97232 USA