#A to Z Challenge – 7 April 2018 – G is for Glowworms – a Haibun
#atozchallenge – Nature & Outdoors Theme
Glowworms were found on our farm in small pockets along the river banks, which was a treasure for my children, they would sneak along at night, so not to frighten them, as their lights would go out, is what they thought. Since then I have found out through research that it is the female which glows through bioluminescent, and maybe it wasn’t one of the followers in the group that were searching for the glow worms that made a noise so they never found them because it wasn’t the right time for mating. Haha.
In the Waitomo Glowworm Caves in New Zealand, they are the larva of the Fungus Gnat, not a beetle. Both the larval stage and the image are luminescent.
Credit to Wikipedia – At the end of the larva stage it becomes a pupa, hanging down from the roof of the cave on a short, silken thread. The pupa stage lasts about 1 or 2 weeks and it glows intermittently. The male almost stops glowing a few days before emerging, whereas the female’s glow increases. The glow from the female is believed to be to attract a mate, and males may be waiting there when she emerges. Adult New Zealand Glowworms do not feed and live only a few days. Both males and females glow, but not as bright as larvae.
Glow worms may sometimes resemble actual worms, but all are insects, one species is a type of fly, but most glow worms are actually beetles.
So in different counties, they are not all beetles, but it still is the same the females glow for mating.
Glow-worms are sometimes called fire-fly or lightning bug.
fire-fly, lightning bug
beetle, fly or just a gnat
just call them glowworms
I remember these critters. How fun they were, in the days before smartphones and TVs.
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Yes, they were fun days, so sad the young ones are missing out on so much these days’.
Have a great weekend
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I wrote out the words to a song by Scott Cook called Among the Trees (in my blog article Childhood Among the Trees). I also think kids are missing out on something critical these days.
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Agree, you are a very interesting writer. Nice to have met you through your blog.
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Thank you. I enjoy your blog as well.
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I remember catching fireflies in the summer in s jar and putting on headboard of my bed. Surely Mama let them go after I fell asleep. I never knew of the caves – would love to see. I’m writing on Nancy Drew at… https://everyonehasafamilystorytotell.wordpress.com/2018/04/07/2018-a-to-z-g-all-about-nancy-drew/
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Tha would have been interesting watching as a child, thanks for sharing. Have a nice weekend.
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I have seen fireflies only once in real life, on a camping trip in southern Ontario. They were in a bush and were absolutely captivating.
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Yes, they are very interesting, I wonder if we would find them living on private land these days so much has changed over the years, not like it was, humans have destroy so much breaking in new land. Have a great week.
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I grew up in Georgia and they were plentiful in the summer there. I also see them in Ct at times now.
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Nice to know, thanks for confirming that.
Have a great day.
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So interesting! Bioluminescent creatures fascinate me, and they’re so beautiful. Thank you for the informative article.
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Thanks Eva, appreciate your comment. Have a nice day.
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