Observation: Unknown
Primary Observer:
Danielle McNally
Event Date:
2026-06-13
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
Undisclosed
Province/State:
Rhode Island
Event Date:
2026-06-13
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:58
End Time:
21:03
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
Danielle McNally
Additional Observers:
target_species_genus:
photinus
target_species_species:
pyralis
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
50-100
Habitat Type:
Grassland/Meadow - Meadow, open, grasses dominant
Habitat Type Notes:
Meadow and forest. Hay field, some mowed. Some left tall. Brush and forest. Lots of biodiversity
Elevation (meters):
37.5
Area Searched (hectares):
1
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: Yes
Street Lights: No
Buildings: Yes
Just from house windows
Street Lights: No
Buildings: Yes
Just from house windows
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:
Seldom cars passing.
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
11-50
genus:
unknown
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
More than one genus and species. Meadow and woodland areas. Stobe patters, flash and drag, and one blink patterns. Orange, yellow, and green flash colors. Emergence from tree line, and some from grass and single trees in field. But mostly from tall grass and wood line.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Unk
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:14
Last Flash Time:
21:14
First Flash Temp (F):
76
Last Flash Temp (F):
75
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Green
Flash Pattern Period:
2
Flash Duration:
1
Flash Interval:
20
Male Height Zone:
Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Meadow
Male Flash Behavior:
Female Flash Behavior:
1 thought on “Observation: Unknown”
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Thanks for submitting this incidental firefly observation! Sounds like the fireflies were putting on a varied and active show.
While the “flash and drag” flash pattern sounds like it could be similar to the big dipper’s, Rhode Island is slightly beyond the known range of the common eastern firefly/big dipper (Photinus pyralis), and the expected activity time for big dippers is earlier in the evening, compared to your 9:14 pm observation time.
I’d be curious to know what species are at this habitat, which will just require additional observations and ideally photos of any you are able to catch.
At this time of year in southern New England, some of the species you might expect to find include: dusk double-flashers (Photinus jamesi, Photinus macdermotti, or Photinus consanguineus), ignited fireflies (Photinus ignitus), murky flashtrain fireflies (Photinus obscurellus), various Photuris fireflies (both multi-pulse and single green flash patterns), and Pyractomena fireflies (long-glowing Pyractomena sinuata, orange flicker Pyractomena angulata, and single flashing Pyractomena marginalis). It is admittedly overwhelming– so just take it firefly by firefly and night by night!