glow worm
Beetle that shines
A glow worm is a beetle larva or wingless female that produces bioluminescent light, typically a soft greenish glow from the abdomen.
The light attracts mates or prey.
Several unrelated species share the name.
Despite the name, they're insects, not worms—the term comes from their larval, worm-like appearance.
- fireflyBioluminescent nocturnal beetle
- bioluminescenceOrganism-generated light emission
- lanternEnclosed portable light
- beetleHard-winged insect
- nightDark hours daily
insect larvae · night sky · luminous · larva · cave · twilight · flicker · soft light · fairy lights · summer · summer nights · dusk · mating · signal · light show · enchanted · forest floor · woodland creatures
- firefliesfirefly, lightning bug, glowworm
- insectsant, ants, bee, bees, butterfly
- beetlesbeetle, beetles, scarab beetle, scarab, scarabs
- glowgleam, glimmer, shimmer, radiance, luminescence
- misnomerskoala bear, starfish, jellyfish, horned toad, tin foil
- Bioluminescencefirefly, glowworm, lightning bug, anglerfish, lanternfish