Observation: Bicellonycha wickershamorum
Primary Observer:
Janie Agyagos
Event Date:
2026-07-11
Status:
Unreviewed
Survey
Site Name:
Undisclosed
Province/State:
Arizona
Event Date:
2026-07-11
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
19:45
End Time:
20:50
Number of Observers:
3
Primary Observer:
Janie Agyagos
Additional Observers:
Diane Greathouse, Rita Faruki
target_species_genus:
bicellonycha
target_species_species:
wickershamorum
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Riparian - Areas Along lake or stream
Habitat Type Notes:
Oak Creek and Verde Riparian habitat looked fabulous! So much stream side (mostly native sedge, Carex ulta) herbaceous veg. Even herbaceous veg within the channel where there was a back water and an island (see pic). The only impact was a huge denuded put in/take out area for kayakers from Alcantara winery property - I measure it in Google earth to be 142 feet.
Elevation (meters):
975
Area Searched (hectares):
0.5
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: Yes
Street Lights: No
Buildings: Yes
Street Lights: No
Buildings: Yes
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:
Because we were up on a cliff, we could see these lights but if we were down at river's edge, maybe only one light from Alcanterra winery would be visible if any at all.
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
2-10
genus:
bicellonycha
Species:
wickershamorum
Observation Notes:
It was so windy that I was surprised to see any fireflies at all! But the definite four we did see were brief – like they came out to test the weather and then went back to the shelter of thick herbaceous veg and quit flashing. The two on the Verde (where the other survey party was wading) flashed for a while on two separate occasions but never moved away from that area.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
20:08
Last Flash Time:
20:45
First Flash Temp (F):
96
Last Flash Temp (F):
95
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Green
Flash Pattern Period:
1
Flash Duration:
less than one
Flash Interval:
1
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft)
Flash Location:
The two on the Verde (where the other survey party was wading) flashed for a while on two separate occasions but never moved away from that area of dense herbaceous veg.
The two we saw on Oak Creek did attempt to fly over the open water and down the creek a bit. But they weren't out long. I think the wind was less along Oak Creek where they were, compared to the confluence and along the Verde.
Male Flash Behavior:
For sure four (maybe more but less than 10) flashed but not only occasionally and for short duration. I can only imagine that was due to the wind.
Female Flash Behavior:
None observed
