Observation: Photinus marginellus
Primary Observer:
Vincent Spaid
Event Date:
2026-07-08
Status:
Unreviewed
Survey
Site Name:
Brooklyn Center
Province/State:
Minnesota
Event Date:
2026-07-08
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:45
End Time:
22:01
Number of Observers:
2
Primary Observer:
Vincent Spaid
Additional Observers:
Sara Spaid
target_species_genus:
target_species_species:
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Developed - Sub/urban areas; parks/gardens
Habitat Type Notes:
"Wild" area at back of residential yard. Has deep leaf litter, ferns, blue spruce, and some kind of plant with lots of "stickers".
Elevation (meters):
261
Area Searched (hectares):
0.1
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: No
Street Lights: Yes
Buildings: Yes
Street Lights: Yes
Buildings: Yes
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): No
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): Yes
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): No
Artificial Light Notes:
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
11-50
genus:
photinus
Species:
marginellus
Observation Notes:
Caught several, collected one. The one I collected had the following flash intervals at 71.4 degrees, 3.19, 2.7. 8.1, and 4.5 seconds. It's possible that I missed a flash in that 8.1 second pause.
I timed several others that I did not collect at between 3 and 5 second intervals. Intervals seemed to be quite variable even for the same individual. Flashing occurred from 9:08 to approximately 9:45 PM. Although I saw more than 10 individuals in the course of that time they were never common with never more than a couple seen at once.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:08
Last Flash Time:
21:45
First Flash Temp (F):
74
Last Flash Temp (F):
71.4
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
3 to 5 seconds (variable)
Flash Duration:
~0.1 second
Flash Interval:
3 to 5 seconds (variable)
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Flashes occurred low over vegetation in a "wild" area of a residential yard with ferns, small blue spruce, and various unknown forbs.
Male Flash Behavior:
quick single flashes with 3 to 5 seconds between flashes. Flash timing was variable even for the same individual with pauses of 3 to 5 seconds withing the same "train" of flashes.
