Observation: Photinus obscurellus
Primary Observer:
Katie Hietala-Henschell
Event Date:
2026-06-30
Status:
Survey
Site Name:
Tetrault Woods State Forest Marsh
Province/State:
North Dakota
Event Date:
2026-06-30
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
21:47
End Time:
00:49
Number of Observers:
3
Primary Observer:
Katie Hietala-Henschell
Additional Observers:
Shelby Bjornstad, Jared Farris
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:
Open marsh habitat in the sloughs of the Pembina River. Cattails along river and grasses and herbaceous vegetation including milkweed, tansy, and wild prairie rose. Some trees including sandbar willow and bur oak.
Elevation (meters):
264
Area Searched (hectares):
0.25
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:
Moon behind hill and tree line causing some sky glow. After survey, moon visible and bright.
Observation
Observation Type:
With Flash Data
Number Observed:
50+
genus:
photinus
Species:
obscurellus
Observation Notes:
10:30 pm - 10 mm; 10:40 pm - 10 mm. Flashing slowed a little around 11 pm.
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
22:20
Last Flash Time:
00:49
First Flash Temp (F):
70
Last Flash Temp (F):
67
Flashes in Pattern:
3
Flash Color:
Yellow
Flash Pattern Period:
5
Flash Duration:
1
Flash Interval:
4
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Above cattails and marsh grasses.
Male Flash Behavior:
Double and triple flashes given every 3-5 seconds.
10:20 pm - 0.75 second double yellow-orange flash followed by a long dark interval (warm up?)
10:30 pm - double flash
10:36 pm - 1 second triple yellow-orange flash every 3 seconds
10:40 pm - double flash
11:02 pm - triple flash every 5 seconds
