Observation: Pyractomena dispersa
Primary Observer:
Ron Day
Event Date:
2025-06-25
Status:
Unreviewed
Survey
Site Name:
Government Spring Greer
Province/State:
Arizona
Event Date:
2025-06-25
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:00
End Time:
20:15
Number of Observers:
2
Primary Observer:
Ron Day
Additional Observers:
Cheryl Mollohan
target_species_genus:
pyractomena
target_species_species:
dispersa
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Riparian - Areas Along lake or stream
Habitat Type Notes:
Small spring with running water in high elevation riparian area. Flashing at spring and collected at spring. 15-25 flashing at spring but continuous flashing for at least .25 miles along the Little Colorado River drainage (spring was adjacent to Little Colorado River).
Elevation (meters):
2592
Area Searched (hectares):
<.1
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:
11-50
genus:
pyractomena
Species:
dispersa
Observation Notes:
Males were flashing and flying, female was sitting on vegetation flying.
This was the beginning of a driving survey near Greer Arizona. We mapped out the likely firefly locations to check during the day. We started at Government Springs, remained there long enough to collect 3 specimens and then proceeded to other locations in the area where we recorded each site as an incidental observation.
Specimen Voucher Number:
WM-CM-2025 -2, WM-CM-2025-3, WM-CM-2-2025-4
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
20:07
Last Flash Time:
20:30
First Flash Temp (F):
65
Last Flash Temp (F):
65
Flashes in Pattern:
3
Flash Color:
Orange
Flash Pattern Period:
Not recorded
Flash Duration:
Not recorded
Flash Interval:
Not recorded
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft), High (over 8 ft)
Flash Location:
Very active flashing with orange flutter flash, primarily in the 3-6 feet range for males and sitting on vegetation for females.
Male Flash Behavior:
Very active flight and flashing primarily 3-6 feet above the ground, but some several feet higher.
Female Flash Behavior:
Females were sitting on vegetation flashing.
