Observation: Photinus
Primary Observer:
Richard Joyce
Event Date:
2022-06-02
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
Highlands Biological Station, Lindenwood Lake
Province/State:
North Carolina
Event Date:
2022-06-02
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
22:26
End Time:
23:59
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):
100-250
Habitat Type:
Riparian - Areas Along lake or stream
Habitat Type Notes:
Open herbaceous and shrubby wetland on shore of impounded lake (Lindenwood Lake, appears as Ravenel Lake on Google Maps).
Plants included jewelweed (Impatiens sp.), smooth alder, (Alnus serrulata), and a mix of grasses, sedges and forbs.
Also Sphagnum moss and pitcher plants (Sarracenia).
Elevation (meters):
1198
Area Searched (hectares):
0.5
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: No
Street Lights: No
Buildings: Yes
Street Lights: No
Buildings: Yes
Artificial Light Types
Sky Glow (diffuse illumination in the sky): No
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): Yes
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): No
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): Yes
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): No
Artificial Light Notes:
Some light trespass from station buildings.
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
11-50
genus:
photinus
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
About 10 mm long (photographed on 5 mm square grid). Black scutellum, ventrites, and leg segments. Flying over marshy inlet of lake, emitting series of yellow flashes appearing to be flash trains of 3 at 3-second periods, some faster.
Caught and photographed ~10:45 PM.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
22:30
Last Flash Time:
23:00
First Flash Temp (F):
66
Last Flash Temp (F):
64.4
Flashes in Pattern:
3
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
Not recorded
Flash Duration:
Not recorded
Flash Interval:
3
Male Height Zone:
Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Male flashes in upward and downward diagonal paths over the marshy vegetation.
Male Flash Behavior:
Only measured flash-pattern was three pulses with 3 second flash periods, but video shows faster flash patterns of 4+ yellow flashes.
Female Flash Behavior:
Not observed.
