Observation: Photuris
Primary Observer:
Emily Geest
Event Date:
2026-06-16
Status:
Unreviewed
Survey
Site Name:
Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanic Garden
Province/State:
Oklahoma
Event Date:
2026-06-16
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:30
End Time:
22:32
Number of Observers:
24
Primary Observer:
Emily Geest
Additional Observers:
Hannah Arneson, Morgan Tillett, Shannon Fletcher, Sofia Richards, Sable Richards, Jazzlyn Jones, Claudia Piña, Sue Hunt, Rueben Avila, Nancy E., Tina Coleman, Janice Foltz, Brittany Kelley, Johnny Floyd, Pan Lessmann, Pryce Daily, Tammy Burnett, Jennifer D'Agostino, Lindsay Irby, Judy Smith, Hal Cantwell, Cole Penning, Linda Short, Ashia Sweason, Camara McCannon, and a few kids I didn't grab the name of.
target_species_genus:
photinus
target_species_species:
pyralis
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Developed - Sub/urban areas; parks/gardens
Habitat Type Notes:
We have a large man-made lake and woody/shrub habitat that backs into the lake. Oaks, cypress, and hackberry are the dominant trees. The rest of the plants are native plant gardens, cultivated gardens, and wildscaping (we are a botanical garden). The group mostly focused in two places: the picnic lawn (lake to the south, the wetlands habitat (that houses our tortoises) to the north, a wildscape area to the west, and native plant garden to the east); and cat forest (an area surrounded by either trees or bamboo) a bit deeper into the zoo.
Elevation (meters):
366
Area Searched (hectares):
1.46
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: No
Street Lights: Yes
Buildings: Yes
vending machines, interior building lights, light reflection off lake surface
Street Lights: Yes
Buildings: Yes
vending machines, interior building lights, light reflection off lake surface
Artificial Light Types
Sky Glow (diffuse illumination in the sky): Yes
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): Yes
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): Yes
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): Yes
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): Yes
Artificial Light Notes:
The Zoo is a 120+ acres and we cover an area that has a lot of different light pollution types.
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
2-10
genus:
photuris
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:17
Last Flash Time:
22:00
First Flash Temp (F):
82
Last Flash Temp (F):
82
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Green
Flash Pattern Period:
9
Flash Duration:
7
Flash Interval:
2
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft)
Flash Location:
On tree trunk.
Male Flash Behavior:
Female Flash Behavior:
One long 7-sec greenish flash and a pause of 2 secs before repeating. Mimicking pyralis?
