Observation: Photinus knulli
Primary Observer:
Danielle
Event Date:
2026-08-12
Status:
Unreviewed
Survey
Site Name:
Undisclosed
Province/State:
Arizona
Event Date:
2026-08-12
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:30
End Time:
21:30
Number of Observers:
2
Primary Observer:
Danielle
Additional Observers:
Zach
target_species_genus:
target_species_species:
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
50-100
Habitat Type:
Woodland/Forest - Trees dominant, and in the over-story
Habitat Type Notes:
Elevation (meters):
997
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:
50+
genus:
photinus
Species:
knulli
Observation Notes:
Males were flashing near the trees anywhere from 5 - maybe 30 feet in the air. The flashes occurred in sequences of two - three flashes followed by a break. The females were flashing from the plants on the ground. I only saw the females giving one flash at a time. They were harder to see than the males. We arrived at 8:30 pm and they were already flashing. We left at 9:30 pm and the flashes were starting to slow down. We also noticed a different type of firefly flashing in the trees above us. I only saw two of them - they only flashed once but they held their flash longer, creating a streak like flash.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
20:30
Last Flash Time:
21:30
First Flash Temp (F):
77
Last Flash Temp (F):
77
Flashes in Pattern:
3
Flash Color:
Green
Flash Pattern Period:
2-3, 1 sec flashes in a row
Flash Duration:
1
Flash Interval:
6
Male Height Zone:
High (over 8 ft)
Flash Location:
The males did flash in the open but they preferred the tree line.
Male Flash Behavior:
Female Flash Behavior:
The females flashed from the vegetation on the ground. I only observed them giving 1 flash at a time. They didn’t flash that often. Their flashes were definitely dimmer than the males.
