Observation: Photinus carolinus
Primary Observer:
Peggy Butler
Event Date:
2026-06-13
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
Undisclosed
Province/State:
Pennsylvania
Event Date:
2026-06-13
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
21:30
End Time:
23:00
Number of Observers:
2
Primary Observer:
Peggy Butler
Additional Observers:
Ken
target_species_genus:
photinus
target_species_species:
carolinus
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Grassland/Meadow - Meadow, open, grasses dominant
Habitat Type Notes:
Started at the riparian edges of the Tionesta creek, walked through predominantly meadow and open grass, ended in forest with dominant tree coverage. Collection occurred in the the forest.
Elevation (meters):
361.49
Area Searched (hectares):
2
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:
50+
genus:
photinus
Species:
carolinus
Observation Notes:
Flashing in the browse line of the trees on the west side of the 200-yard-long field by the dozens; 6-8 quick flashes for 2 seconds and then all go dark for 8-10 seconds. Now observing them in the darker forest meadow north of the field.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
22:00
Last Flash Time:
22:45
First Flash Temp (F):
68
Last Flash Temp (F):
66
Flashes in Pattern:
>4
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
10-12
Flash Duration:
<.5
Flash Interval:
<.5
Male Height Zone:
Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
under trees and in dark shadows predominantly; Some seemed to be rising out of the field and flashing over the hay, but then would move toward the trees
Male Flash Behavior:
6-8 rapid flashes wavy/loopy patterns, synchronizing with others close by and then go dark at the same time for 8-10secs
Female Flash Behavior:
none observed
1 thought on “Observation: Photinus carolinus”
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Thank you for submitting, and very nice documentation of Photinus carolinus! Verified by the flash pattern description and photos, which show the length of ~14 mm, the dark scutellum, dark and pointed pygidium, ventrites other than the lanterns entirely dark, and the dusky markings on the edges of the pronotum.
My only constructive feedback is that, while your observation notes paint a clear picture of the male flash pattern, the numbers for the flash pattern details should look more like this:
Flash pattern period= 10-12 seconds (the length of the 2-second pattern + the 8-10 second dark period)
Flash duration= <0.5 sec (you did this correctly-- video studies show that the flash duration is less than 0.1 seconds!)
Flash interval= <0.5 seconds (the time between each pulse within the pattern, which is admittedly hard to measure in a P. carolinus flash train). It's fine to put "not recorded" for fields that are not practical to measure in the field.
Remember that the flash pattern terms are illustrated on the diagram at the bottom of the FFA data sheet.