Observation: Photinus pyralis
Primary Observer:
Lisa Zimmerman
Event Date:
2026-06-17
Status:
Unreviewed
Survey
Site Name:
Kelly's Run Site 1
Province/State:
Pennsylvania
Event Date:
2026-06-17
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:05
End Time:
21:45
Number of Observers:
2
Primary Observer:
Lisa Zimmerman
Additional Observers:
Mara Zimmerman
target_species_genus:
unknown
target_species_species:
unknown
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
25-50
Habitat Type:
Grassland/Meadow - Meadow, open, grasses dominant
Habitat Type Notes:
The meadow was next to a parking lot that was surrounded by mowed grass.
Elevation (meters):
213
Area Searched (hectares):
2.87
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: Yes
Street Lights: No
Buildings: No
Street Lights: No
Buildings: No
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 glare and light trespass were inconsistent came from car driving by since the site was near a road. The sky glow came from the mostly cloud covered moon.
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
50+
genus:
photinus
Species:
pyralis
Observation Notes:
Photinus Pyralis stuck mostly to the mowed grass and parking lot area. Some flashed in the meadow but most were in the areas where the grass was shorter. They flashed with a J like upward curve to their movement. The specimen was about 1.78 cm in length.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
20:36
Last Flash Time:
21:26
First Flash Temp (F):
77.7
Last Flash Temp (F):
NA
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
5
Flash Duration:
0.5
Flash Interval:
4
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft)
Flash Location:
Flashes occurred in the shorter, mowed grass surrounding the parking lot and next to the road. Moat flashes were pretty close to the ground, and some females flashed in the grass.
Male Flash Behavior:
Males appeared to have a rising, J shaped flash pattern.
Female Flash Behavior:
During mating, the female appeared to flash and than glow at erratic intervals, sometimes sustaining the glow for about a minute. After mating finished, the female flashed once with the male flashing six seconds afterwards. The female than flashed again three seconds after the male.
