Observation: Phausis reticulata
Primary Observer:
Gini Bell
Event Date:
2026-07-01
Status:
Unreviewed
Survey
Site Name:
Undisclosed
Province/State:
North Carolina
Event Date:
2026-07-01
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:44
End Time:
21:56
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
Gini Bell
Additional Observers:
N/A
target_species_genus:
unknown
target_species_species:
unknown
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Grassland/Meadow - Meadow, open, grasses dominant
Habitat Type Notes:
Survey took place on my parents 17 acre rural property outside of Sparta, NC in the blue ridge mountains. Property is comprised of 1-2 acres of regularly mowed lawn with peach, apple, mimosa, spruce, weeping cherry and pear trees; 7 acre field that had recently been mowed for the season, bordered by old growth hardwoods- maple, oaks, black cherry, sassafras, white pine; ~8 acre back wooded loop that is full of mixed pine hardwood forest that's being choked by bittersweet and other invasive vining plants. While I surveyed the whole property, the fields and surrounding treeline and the area around the house were by far the most active.
Elevation (meters):
3030
Area Searched (hectares):
1.979
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:
11-50
genus:
phausis
Species:
reticulata
Observation Notes:
tiny males! about 8 mm. Didn't see them until full dark. Saw quite a few flying low, mostly through the rough patches on the edge of the lawn where there are old grown black cherry and maple trees, with some rough less frequently mowed grassy vegetation. Saw a few over the lawn, but very consistently in the same are. Was not able to find any females on the ground.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:35
Last Flash Time:
21:56
First Flash Temp (F):
80
Last Flash Temp (F):
79
Flashes in Pattern:
>4
Flash Color:
Green
Flash Pattern Period:
60 seconds
Flash Duration:
30+seconds
Flash Interval:
60+ seconds
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft)
Flash Location:
mostly through the rough patches on the edge of the lawn where there are old grown black cherry, maple, and holly trees, with some rough less frequently mowed low growing grassy vegetation and leaf litter. Saw a few over the lawn, but very consistently in the same area.
Male Flash Behavior:
mesmerizing. incredibly long green flashes that reminded me of an incandescent light bulb- consistent at first with some flickering/dimming as the flash continued. Was quite difficult to track the flash pattern because it was so long. I observed quite a few flashes from several different males, all consistent with the description above, and then just tried to catch a few to document. photos above are of two different phausis reticulata.
Female Flash Behavior:
None seen
