Observation: Photuris
Primary Observer:
Katie Hietala-Henschell
Event Date:
2026-06-27
Status:
Survey
Site Name:
Kelly Sloughs WPA
Province/State:
North Dakota
Event Date:
2026-06-27
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:09
End Time:
23:45
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
Katie Hietala-Henschell
Additional Observers:
NA
target_species_genus:
pyractomena
target_species_species:
dispersa
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Open Freshwater Wetland - Wetland Bog, fen, freshwater marsh
Habitat Type Notes:
River slough with cattails, rushes, bedstraw, and pickleweed. Mudflats present and soft substrate. Milkvetch, thistles, and grasses along edges.
Elevation (meters):
250
Area Searched (hectares):
0.2
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: No
Street Lights: No
Buildings: Yes
Residential, cell tower
Street Lights: No
Buildings: Yes
Residential, cell tower
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): Yes
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): No
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): Yes
Artificial Light Notes:
Clouds were moving quickly from windy conditions throughout survey. The bright moon was casting shadows at times and also covered by clouds creating dark conditions.
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
11-50
genus:
photuris
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
Approximate number observed closer to 50 individuals. Firefly lengths: 1) 13 mm (10:40 pm); 2) 13 mm (10:44 pm); 3) 13.5 mm (10:55 pm); 4) 14.5 mm (11:06 pm - female).
Consider revisiting to survey for Pyractomena. Suspected Pyractomena was seen giving 1 second long flicker flash, followed by 8-12 second dark interval. Flight lofty and floating. Potentially P. dispersa but specimen not captured to confirm.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
22:14
Last Flash Time:
23:45
First Flash Temp (F):
66
Last Flash Temp (F):
64
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Green
Flash Pattern Period:
9
Flash Duration:
1
Flash Interval:
8
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Flashes occurred within marsh habitat over marsh grasses and standing water. Individuals were perched in grass (windy conditions) or flying erratically (diving, dropping down, loopy).
Male Flash Behavior:
Flash behavior and flight path were variable.
10:15 - male perched on grass giving 1-1.25 second glow-like flash.
10:40 - 1 second glow every 10-12 seconds with erratic flight.
10:44 - single glow, sitting glow in grass.
10:55 - 1.25 second glow-like flash every 3-4 seconds, perched on grass with wind swaying grasses.
Other flashes observed at 10:20 - 1) 3 slow flashes from grass followed by 3-4 second dark interval; 2) flashes followed by 6-8 second dark interval.
Female Flash Behavior:
11:06 - quick single flashes of 0.5 second flash followed by 0.5 second dark interval.
11:10 - female flashed continuously 60 times, every 0.5 seconds and then went dark.
