Observation: Phausis reticulata
Primary Observer:
Jonathan Shirley
Event Date:
2026-05-07
Status:
Unreviewed
Survey
Site Name:
Undisclosed
Province/State:
Kentucky
Event Date:
2026-05-07
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
21:30
End Time:
22:30
Number of Observers:
3
Primary Observer:
Jonathan Shirley
Additional Observers:
Kathryn Shirley
Doug Wilson
target_species_genus:
phausis
target_species_species:
reticulata
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
25-50
Habitat Type:
Woodland/Forest - Trees dominant, and in the over-story
Habitat Type Notes:
Chestnut oak, Maple, honey locust successional Forest with wild comfrey, frostweed, Virginia creeper, poison ivy ground cover
Elevation (meters):
280m
Area Searched (hectares):
~3 hectares
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:
Only the distant glow of the Louisville Light Dome interferes with an otherwise excellent dark sky location.
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
50+
genus:
phausis
Species:
reticulata
Observation Notes:
Most activity from P. reticulata that I've ever seen at Bernheim Forest. It was easy to have 7-8 Blue Ghost glowing in your field of a view at a time.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:41
Last Flash Time:
22:53
First Flash Temp (F):
51
Last Flash Temp (F):
47
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Blue
Flash Pattern Period:
Constant glow, no flash pattern
Flash Duration:
18-40
Flash Interval:
25-35
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft)
Flash Location:
Either side of the Fire Tower Loop trail leading up to the top of the knob. Primarily on the uphill slope, but still significantly active on the downhill side.
Male Flash Behavior:
Long, slow glow as the Blue Ghosts meandered through the undergrowth, often crossing and following the trial heedless of the observers before drifting off to one side or the other.
Female Flash Behavior:
Multiple females were observed in the leaf litter glowing consistently as the males passed over.
