Observation: Photuris
Primary Observer:
Richard Joyce
Event Date:
2023-08-10
Status:
Unreviewed
Survey
Site Name:
Davis Mountains State Park- Limpia Creek
Province/State:
Texas
Event Date:
2023-08-10
Time of Day:
Night-Time
Start Time:
20:49
End Time:
23:59
Number of Observers:
4
Primary Observer:
Richard Joyce
Additional Observers:
Candace Fallon, Ross Winton, Lee Smith
Target Species Genus:
Photuris
Target Species Species:
flavicollis
Location and Habitat
Location Accuracy (meters):
25-50
Habitat Type:
Riparian - Areas Along lake or stream
Habitat Type Notes:
The surveyed habitat was the riparian zone of Limpia Creek, which included areas with tree cover, shrub cover, and grasses. The creek bed was mostly dry, with a few areas of standing water. On the Texas Ecosystem Analytical Mapper, the area is mapped as Trans-Pecos: Lower Montane Riparian Shrubland. Plant species included cottonwood (Populus), willow (Salix), walnut (Juglans), Juniperus, Emory oak (Quercus emoryi), Muhly grass (Muhlenbergia sp.), Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), Setaria, Aloysia, blue stem (Bothriochloa), and desert willow (Chilopsis linearis).
Elevation (meters):
1497
Area Searched (hectares):
3
Artificial Light Sources
Vehicles: Yes
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): Yes
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): Yes
Light Trespass (light cast on surfaces beyond its intended target): Yes
Glare (bright light causing visual discomfort): Yes
Artificial Light Notes:
At the edges of the riparian habitat there was occasional glare and light trespass from vehicles on TX 118.
Observation
Observation Type:
Non-Flashing
Number Observed:
1
Genus:
Photuris
Species:
unknown
Observation Notes:
A single Photuris larva was found by its dim glow in the pebbles and cobbles of the creek bed of Limpia Creek. This section of the creek bed did not have any flowing or standing water, but there was some moisture in the substrate where the firefly was found.
Crossposted to iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/178091887.
Total length of the larva was about 15 mm, without the head extended.
