Observation: Pyractomena ecostata
Primary Observer:
Richard Joyce
Event Date:
2026-07-20
Status:
Verified
Survey
Site Name:
Bayshore Waterfront Park- Church Street marsh
Province/State:
New Jersey
Event Date:
2026-07-20
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
21:51
End Time:
22:29
Number of Observers:
4
Primary Observer:
Richard Joyce
Additional Observers:
Katie Hietala-Henschell, Robert Somes, Nicole Bendixen
target_species_genus:
pyractomena
target_species_species:
ecostata
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
25-50
Habitat Type:
Tidal Marsh - Salt marsh or brackish marsh
Habitat Type Notes:
The focal habitat surveyed was a patch of salt hay high marsh.
Elevation (meters):
0.9
Area Searched (hectares):
1.2
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: Yes
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): Yes
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): Yes
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): Yes
Artificial Light Notes:
Headlights from vehicles on Church St would temporarily disrupt Pyractomena ecostata flashing, casting light trespass into the marsh.
Observation
Observation Type:
Without Flash Data
Number Observed:
11-50
genus:
pyractomena
Species:
ecostata
Observation Notes:
Between 20 and 50 individuals observed flashing, all on the west side of Church St. mGDD (Long Branch-Oakhurst, 1 March start, 86/50 F) of 1887. Flashes observed over both salt hay and cord grass, but not near the Phragmites. Flash pattern details were not recorded.
Flashes were observed throughout the whole survey (9:51 PM to 10:29 PM). A female was found flashing from the marsh grass.
