Glowworm Beetle
Since putting this photo up here, and asking for help in identifying this creature, I've learned that it's a Glowworm Beetle in the family Phengodidae. (Phengo comes from a Greek root meaning "light, splendor or luster.") It is either a female, which does not become winged, or is the larval form of this beetle. The female feeds on millipedes. The male is much smaller, and has "frilly" antennae. This individual was found by a young girl in our neighborhood when she noticed its spectacular lights glowing in the darkness of late evening. Each segment has a glowing spot just above the lower edge. It was found near a Douglas Fir forest here in western Oregon.
3 Comments:
(From OBOL) I did run across these glowing images, are those the light patterns it had?
http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/misc/beetles/phengodidae04.htm
http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/misc/beetles/phengodidae05.htm
dear floyd that is so cool I want to come on your blog more often I love you love sarah.
My son discovered a glow beetle yesterday. He picked it up and it rolled into a ball. He had put it in an container and we were watching a movie with the lights off and its little legs were glowing. It was a very cool find. I ve always had a thing for bugs but have never discovered anything like this.. Very cool! - Ling from milwaukee wisconsin
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