Observation: Photuris
Primary Observer:
Richard Joyce
Event Date:
2026-05-17
Status:
Unreviewed
Survey
Site Name:
Beidler Forest Sanctuary- powerline corridor
Province/State:
South Carolina
Event Date:
2026-05-17
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
21:04
End Time:
22:17
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
Richard Joyce
Additional Observers:
NA
target_species_genus:
unknown
target_species_species:
unknown
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
50-100
Habitat Type:
Open Freshwater Wetland - Wetland Bog, fen, freshwater marsh
Habitat Type Notes:
A 100ft-wide powerline corridor through bottomland hardwood forest and cypress-tupelo swamp. Low wet areas were dominated by lizard's tail plant (Saururus cernuus). Tall grasses and blackberry brambles in the higher areas.
Elevation (meters):
16
Area Searched (hectares):
0.3
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): Yes
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:
photuris
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
About 10-11 mm long. Dark hind coxae. These are the fireflies nicknamed "lanterns" by R. Covey. Flash pattern suggests a member of Lloyd's "Penn Groups," though the flash pattern and morphology don't align exactly with any of the species in the group.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
21:04
Last Flash Time:
22:17
First Flash Temp (F):
73
Last Flash Temp (F):
72
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Green
Flash Pattern Period:
4.9
Flash Duration:
0.7
Flash Interval:
4.2
Male Height Zone:
Moderate (3-8 ft), High (over 8 ft)
Flash Location:
At moderate heights (often over 2 meters) in the powerline corridor, often near the forest edge and less likely to be over the lizard's tail wetland.
Male Flash Behavior:
Greenish dot-dash flash pattern at periods of 4.9 seconds, glows lasting about 0.7 seconds. Most flash patterns involved a rising/upward trajectory.
