Observation: Photuris
Primary Observer:
Chlöe
Event Date:
2026-09-11
Status:
Unverified
Survey
Site Name:
Undisclosed
Province/State:
Florida
Event Date:
2026-09-11
Time of Day:
Day-Time
Start Time:
06:50
End Time:
06:52
Number of Observers:
1
Primary Observer:
Chlöe
Additional Observers:
N/A.
target_species_genus:
photinus
target_species_species:
umbratus
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
0-25
Habitat Type:
Forested Wetland - Swamp, cedar bog, mangrove
Habitat Type Notes:
Spotted outside of Lettuce Lake Park, which consists of: Hardwood Swamp Forest/Floodplains, Hardwood Hammock, and Pine Flatwoods.
Hardwood Swamp Forest/Floodplains
Trees: Bald cypress, red maple, sweetbay magnolia, pop ash.
Understory & Aquatic: Water lettuce, various ferns, sedges, air plants/moss.
Hardwood Hammock
Trees: Laurel oak, live oak, and cabbage palm.
Understory & Ground Cover: Needle palm, beautyberry, resurrection fern.
Pine Flatwoods
Trees: Longleaf pine or slash pine.
Understory & Ground Cover: Saw palmetto, wiregrass, narrowleaf silkgrass, various goldenrods.
Elevation (meters):
15
Area Searched (hectares):
0.0001
Artificial Light Sources
Artificial Light Types
Artificial Light Notes:
Observation
Observation Type:
Without Flash Data
Number Observed:
1
genus:
photuris
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
Pulled into my parking spot at FDEP-SWD and a large firefly with a quick, short yellow-green flash landed on my truck window, and then quickly took back off and flew away.
Spotted outside of Lettuce Lake Park, which consists of: Hardwood Swamp Forest/Floodplains, Hardwood Hammock, and Pine Flatwoods.
Hardwood Swamp Forest/Floodplains
Trees: Bald cypress, red maple, sweetbay magnolia, pop ash.
Understory & Aquatic: Water lettuce, various ferns, sedges, air plants/moss.
Hardwood Hammock
Trees: Laurel oak, live oak, and cabbage palm.
Understory & Ground Cover: Needle palm, beautyberry, resurrection fern.
Pine Flatwoods
Trees: Longleaf pine or slash pine.
Understory & Ground Cover: Saw palmetto, wiregrass, narrowleaf silkgrass, various goldenrods.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
Last Flash Time:
First Flash Temp (F):
Last Flash Temp (F):
Flashes in Pattern:
Flash Color:
Flash Pattern Period:
Flash Duration:
Flash Interval:
Male Height Zone:
Flash Location:
Male Flash Behavior:
Female Flash Behavior:
1 thought on “Observation: Photuris”
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Thanks for submitting this observation!
Based on the greenish color of the flash and your impression of it being “large,” I have changed the ID from “Photinus umbratus” to “Photuris unknown.” Photinus umbratus are 6-8 mm long (not what what most people would perceive as large) while Photuris can exceed 15 mm. Generally speaking, Photuris flashes are more greenish and Photinus flashes are more yellow, though the color perceive varies from person to person.
On a different topic, while you captured more data than most incidental observations do, I would characterize the entry type as “incidental” rather than “survey.”
Thanks again!