Observation: Photuris
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:
11-50
genus:
photuris
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
Potentially P. tasunkowitcoi. 10:47 pm ~13 mm; 10:56 pm ~13.5 mm; 11:29 pm ~12.5 mm
Specimen Voucher Number:
Flash Behavior
First Flash Time:
22:09
Last Flash Time:
00:49
First Flash Temp (F):
70
Last Flash Temp (F):
67
Flashes in Pattern:
1
Flash Color:
Green
Flash Pattern Period:
7
Flash Duration:
1
Flash Interval:
6
Male Height Zone:
Low (0-3 ft), Moderate (3-8 ft)
Flash Location:
Flying throughout habitat, above marsh grasses and over shrubs. Many males were perched on cattails and marsh grasses.
Male Flash Behavior:
10:09 pm - quick 0.25 second green flash every 0.5 seconds. Quick flight over tall grasses.
10:44 pm - 1 second green-glow flash, varied in intensity (dim-bright-dim) every 5-10 seconds. Dipping in flight.
10:47 pm - 1 second green-glow flash with long dark interval, dipping in flight.
10:50 pm - 1 second green-glow flash (variable) every 4-5 seconds. 1 second sputtering glow. 1 second change in intensity (first 0.5 seconds bright/second part 0.5 seconds dim). Flight variable and erratic (e.g., arch, serpentine, swirl).
10:56 pm - 2-part glow (first part bright/second part dim) repeated every 2 seconds.
11:17 pm - 1 second flickering glow every 3 seconds, fast flight during dark interval.
11:29 pm - 1 second flicker glow, fast flight during dark interval.
12:00 am - a single individual gave a 1 second flow (lofty flight), 1 second glow (erratic flight), 1 second flicker glow.
Female Flash Behavior:
Female Photuris were abundant at the site perched on the cattails and marsh grasses and low in the short mowed grass.
Status Changes
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