Observation: Photinus pyralis
Primary Observer:
Barbara Fisher
Event Date:
2026-07-05
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
Northwest District Park, Chatham Co NC
Province/State:
North Carolina
Event Date:
2026-07-05
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:25
End Time:
21:10
Number of Observers:
2
Primary Observer:
Barbara Fisher
Additional Observers:
Gini Bell
target_species_genus:
unknown
target_species_species:
unknown
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
25-50
Habitat Type:
Woodland/Forest - Trees dominant, and in the over-story
Habitat Type Notes:
pines, sweet gum, hickories
Elevation (meters):
168 F
Area Searched (hectares):
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:
2-10
genus:
photinus
Species:
pyralis
Observation Notes:
15 mm; 2 lanterns
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
20:31
Last Flash Time:
20:31
First Flash Temp (F):
82.3 F
Last Flash Temp (F):
82.3 F
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
7-11 sec
Flash Duration:
1 sec
Flash Interval:
3-5 sec
Male Height Zone:
Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
flashes started over gravel road and gravitated to wooded forest
Male Flash Behavior:
upward movement
Female Flash Behavior:
n/a
1 thought on “Observation: Photinus pyralis”
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Nice documentation of the big dipper firefly (Photinus pyralis)! Thanks for submitting this incidental. Clues that this is a big dipper include the upward movement of the flash, the “leisurely” flash pattern period, the dusk display period, the pale edge on the abdominal segment that is anterior (in front of) the lanterns, the large size (for a Photinus), and the coloration of the pygidium (pale with a dark line down the middle).
Photinus pyralis is a single-flasher, so I’m guessing that the “Flashes in pattern=2” is due to a misleading pair of pulses (maybe an individual flashed twice and then paused, but this wasn’t repeated in a predictable fashion).