Observation: Photinus pyralis
Primary Observer:
CHRISTOPHER JONES
Event Date:
2026-09-05
Status:
Unreviewed
Survey
Site Name:
Province/State:
Georgia
Event Date:
2026-09-05
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:05
End Time:
20:25
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
CHRISTOPHER JONES
Additional Observers:
WILLIAM SCHANTZ
target_species_genus:
target_species_species:
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Developed - Sub/urban areas; parks/gardens
Habitat Type Notes:
Maintained suburban residential backyard with regularly mowed lawn immediately adjoining dense mature woodland. Distinct lawn–forest edge with mature deciduous trees, dense understory vegetation and substantial canopy cover beyond the rear fence. Firefly observed near the backyard/woodland edge.
Elevation (meters):
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:
No artificial lighting directly affected the observation area. The backyard and adjacent wooded edge were unlit, with no vehicle headlights, streetlights, building lights, light trespass, or glare observed. Natural twilight was still present at the beginning of the observation.
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
1
genus:
photinus
Species:
pyralis
Observation Notes:
Single firefly observed.Yellow single flash repeated approximately every 5–7 seconds. Identification as Photinus pyralis is based primarily on the yellow flash color, 5–7 second flash period, dusk activity, and suburban lawn/woodland-edge habitat; no specimen was collected.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
20:05
Last Flash Time:
20:20
First Flash Temp (F):
72
Last Flash Temp (F):
72
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
6
Flash Duration:
0.5
Flash Interval:
5.5
Male Height Zone:
Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Flying over the maintained lawn near the rear woodland edge/fence line, adjacent to dense trees and understory vegetation.
Male Flash Behavior:
Single yellow flash repeated approximately every 5–7 seconds while flying. Flight appeared steady and deliberate; no female response flashes were observed.
Female Flash Behavior:
None observed.
