Observation: Photinus ignitus
Primary Observer:
Katie Hietala-Henschell
Event Date:
2026-07-28
Status:
Unreviewed
Survey
Site Name:
Burt Lake Wetland
Province/State:
Michigan
Event Date:
2026-07-28
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
22:08
End Time:
23:24
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
Katie Hietala-Henschell
Additional Observers:
NA
target_species_genus:
photuris
target_species_species:
alexanderi
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Open Freshwater Wetland - Wetland Bog, fen, freshwater marsh
Habitat Type Notes:
Narrow wetland along Burt Lake bordered by sandy beach and campground. Small pocket of trees and some bordering the edge including tamarack, sandbar willow, cedar, and spruce. Marsh grasses lower than hip height. Mostly bulrush grasses, horsetail, rushes. Other herbaceous vegetation includes swamp milkweed, goldenrod, joe-pye-weed, self heal, jewelweed, yarrow, mint. Small pockets of cattails on the lakeside of the wetland.
Elevation (meters):
180
Area Searched (hectares):
1.4
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: Yes
Street Lights: No
Buildings: No
Lights on campers and RVs
Street Lights: No
Buildings: No
Lights on campers and RVs
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:
Moon was behind trees for part of the survey, but very bright the second half of the survey and casting shadows in the wetland.
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
2-10
genus:
photinus
Species:
ignitus
Observation Notes:
8.5 mm.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
22:33
Last Flash Time:
23:00
First Flash Temp (F):
69
Last Flash Temp (F):
68
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
3.25
Flash Duration:
0.25
Flash Interval:
3
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
About 4-5 fireflies were flashing in a small tamarack stand between a meadow and grassy wetland. All were low to the ground near the grass or about 4-5 feet up deep in the branches. The individual that was caught was flying about 4 feet off the ground and had a slow flight heading straight into a tamarack tree.
Male Flash Behavior:
Single yellow flash with a 2-3 second dark interval before another flash. I caught it before collecting more flash pattern information as there were so few and the others were not leaving the trees. The fireflies in the tamarack stand gave single yellow flashes with long (>20 second) dark intervals.
Female Flash Behavior:
After capturing the male, there was a flicker flash or fast 4-5 pulse flash in the tamarack tree. Too far in to track and collect.
