Glow-worm - Lampyris noctiluca

The Glow-worm isn't actually a worm but a beetle belonging to the family known as fireflies, the name derives from the appearance of the wingless females’ ability to produce a light that is used to attract a mate.

Habitat

Glow-worms are found in a number of habitats, mostly on chalky habitats of grasslands and woodland edges, but also in churchyards, gardens, lane margins and disused railway lines. They are best seen at dusk on calm, warm clear nights when they will be most active.

Description

The females’ bright light can be seen over fifty yards away and is usually seen rather than the male as she shines the light from her tail to attract a mate (she produces the light by mixing chemicals). A warm evening in June to September is the best time to spot them, as this is when they are active.

The females are brown and segmented in appearance and up to 20mm long with her head concealed by a ‘hood’. The females are segmented rather than having wing cases like the more 'beetle' looking males which are able to fly.

The males are up to 12mm in length and dark brown with wings and wing cases; they are very different in appearance to the females as they are more ‘beetle’ looking.

The larvae look similar to the female – they are segmented and wingless, but they differ in colour; the larvae are black with yellow spots.

The larvae feed exclusively on slugs and snails, the adults do not eat and just survive on their body fat they built up as larvae.