The males are not seen as often as the females because they give light only when disturbed, and the light is weak and not used in communication. The adult male has the usual firefly beetle form, but the female is ‘larviform’ (wingless and elongate like the larva …). Hogue, provides a wealth of information: “the female of the Pink glowworm (which is 1/2 in.,or 13 mm, long) communicates her location to the male (1/4 in., or 6 mm, long) by emitting a continuous uniform luminescent glow. Luckily our favorite text for local species in our area, The Insects of the Los Angeles Basin by Charles L. We believe your female Pink Glowworm (actually a Firefly) is Microphotus angustus, which is pictured on BugGuide, though there is a dearth of information on the site. While their prey’s body melts, glowworms like to roll them up.We found this worm at Lake Lopez this weekend on an Oak Tree. Glowworm larvae carry a special kind of venom that not only paralyzes meals likes slugs and snails but dissolves them into a mucusy jelly for consumption.
In fact, in you are a slug or snail, they are terrifying predators, no less so than the prowling lionesses of the Savannah. Glowworm larvae are predators, a unique designation for larvae. In case you are wondering what might be happening in this above picture, let me clear it up for you. The males, however, are less reluctant for change and grow wings and bioluminescent abilities of their own as adults. Interestingly enough, the females never reach an adult form, choosing instead to remain in their larval state. Only female larvae are bioluminescent, producing glowing bulbs of light for the purposes of attracting a male mate. Wait until nighttime, however, and you’ll have your answer. It’s hard to tell her if this is a female or male. Pictured above appears to be a species commonly known as the California pink glowworm, one with a regional name despite its prevalence across North America.
Glowworms like this one, along with fireflies, are part of the Lampyridae family of beetles. It may not look like it right now, but the abdomen of this beetle larva will eventually glow.
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