Glow worm

Description

Lampyris noctiluca,the common glow-worm of Europe (see also "glowworm"),is a firefly species of the genus Lampyris.These are beetles,as evidenced by the hard cases which close over the wings when they are not in use.Lampyris noctiluca presents a conspicuous sexual dimorphism.The males are winged,with brown elytra,a clearer pronotum and a large brown spot in the middle,while females are larviforme,wings are missing and they are often twice the size of the males (up to 25 millimetres or 1 inch in length).These beetles use their bioluminescence to attract mates.The adult females are mostly famed for their glow,although all stages of their life cycle are capable of glowing.In Britain,this species is fairly common compared to its cousin Phosphaenus hemipterus – the lesser glow worm – which is very rare.