Glow-Worms

Glow-worm, Lampyris noctiluca, female adult.
High Elms Country Park, 27 July 2011.

This little creature is a European glow-worm. On Wednesday night, a group of people assembled in one of the car parks at High Elms to look for them.

We walked along the paths through the woods and suddenly, there was a tiny distinct green glow not far away. The walk leader, Alison, a local volunteer and glow-worm fan, picked it up and we all had a good look.

I wasn't equipped to capture the glow, which really needs a tripod and a long exposure. This is a flash photo with my little Ixus 100.  But you can see a slightly different colour in the end two segments, and that's where the glow comes from.

This type of glow-worm doesn't fly, but sits on or near the ground in an exposed spot and waits for the males to fly to her.

We carried on through the woods and along the edges of High Elms' meadows and glades, and saw six more of the bright specks. I was surprised to find them all in woodland; I had thought they only lived in open meadows. But, glow-worms! I was very pleased.