# Common glow-worm (Lampyris noctiluca) > A nocturnal beetle whose flightless glowing females and winged males are familiar in summer meadows across much of Europe. Source: https://insectscanner.com/species/common-glow-worm/ (updated 2026-10-10) ## Is it dangerous? **Non-toxic.** Not dangerous to people. Glow-worms do not bite or sting; they are harmless if handled gently. Avoid crushing them as their bodies are delicate. **Pets:** Not toxic to pets. Large numbers could be a curiosity but are not a poisoning risk; still, avoid letting pets eat many insects. ## Quick facts - Scientific name: Lampyris noctiluca - Also called: European glow-worm - Order: Coleoptera (Beetles) - Family: Lampyridae (Glow-worms and fireflies) - Size: Females 15-25 mm long; males 10-12 mm long (body length) - Colours: Brown, Dark brown, Yellowish pale (glow area when lit) - Habitat: Open, semi-natural habitats: meadows, road verges, heathland, coastal grassland, hedgerows and light woodland edges; also found in gardens with long grass and leaf litter. - Range: Widespread across much of Europe and parts of western Asia. Absent or rare in some northern and heavily urbanised areas; local distributions may be patchy. - Active: Warm months, mainly June to August in much of Europe; active at night (dusk and after dark) on calm evenings. - Lifespan: Larval stage lasts 2-3 years; adult stage typically lives only a few weeks (long enough to mate and lay eggs). - Effect on plants: Harmless - Pest: no ## Overview Lampyris noctiluca is a species of firefly (family Lampyridae) known for its bioluminescent, flightless females that glow at night to attract flying males. Females remain close to the ground on grass and low vegetation; males are winged and fly to locate glowing females. Larvae are predatory and live in soil litter, hunting soft-bodied invertebrates. Adults are short-lived and the species is most conspicuous on warm calm evenings in summer. ## How to identify it Sexes are strongly dimorphic. Females are elongated, wingless, and beetle-like with a soft, rounded abdomen that bears pale light-emitting segments. They are often mistaken for larvae until glowing. Winged males resemble typical beetles with hard wing covers (elytra) and a more tapered abdomen; males have a visible glowing segment on the lower abdomen. Colouring of the body is generally brown to dark brown with paler margins on the pronotum. - Glowing, stationary, soft-bodied female on grass or low vegetation at night. - Winged males are brown beetles with a broad shield-like pronotum covering the head and large eyes; they are attracted to lights and glow only faintly. - Female lacks wings and often has a distinctive rounded, soft abdomen that emits a steady greenish-yellow light. ## Lookalikes - **Lesser glow-worm** (Phosphaenus hemipterus): Much smaller (under about 10 mm); both sexes are flightless with very short wing covers, and the glow is weaker. Local distribution and close examination help confirm identification. - **Iberian glow-worm** (Lampyris iberica): Occurs mainly on the Iberian Peninsula and parts of southern Europe; distinguishing from L. noctiluca often needs geographic and anatomical study. ## Life cycle - **Egg:** Females lay small batches of eggs in soil or leaf litter; eggs hatch in days to weeks depending on temperature. - **Larva (glowworm-like):** Larvae are elongated, segmented and dark with pale corners on each segment; they glow faintly and are active predators feeding mainly on snails, also slugs. Larval development takes 1-3 years with several molts. - **Pupa:** Larvae pupate in soil or sheltered litter; the pupal stage lasts a few weeks before the adult emerges. - **Adult (imago):** Adults are short-lived (a few weeks). Females usually stay on or near the ground and glow to attract males; mating and egg-laying complete the cycle. ## Diet and predators - Young eat: Predatory: mainly snails, also slugs and other soft-bodied invertebrates. - Adults eat: Adults feed little or not at all; some may take nectar or not feed before reproducing. - Predators of the young: Ground beetles, birds, small mammals and parasitic wasps can prey on larvae. - Predators of adults: Birds, bats and nocturnal predators; eggs and pupae are vulnerable to ground predators. ## Effect on plants and gardens Does not feed on living plants; adults mostly focus on reproduction and larvae are predators of soft-bodied invertebrates, so they do not damage gardens and can help reduce slug and snail numbers. ## Where and when to find it Look for glowing females on long grasses, hedgerows, road verges and meadow vegetation; larvae are found in leaf litter and soil where snails are present. - Best time: June to August, at dusk and during the night on warm, still evenings. - Tips: Walk quietly on nights without strong wind or rain. Use low red light or a dim torch to avoid disturbing them; do not touch or pick up many individuals and avoid using bright white light which can inhibit their signalling. ## Fun facts - Only the female glows brightly in this species; males glow much less and use flight to find females. - The light is produced by a chemical reaction (bioluminescence) in the last abdominal segments and gives off very little heat. - Larvae can glow faintly too; the glow may help deter predators or aid in communication. ## Frequently asked questions ### Are common glow-worms dangerous? No. They are harmless to people and do not bite or sting. ### Do glow-worms bite? No—adults do not bite people. Larvae feed on snails and slugs, not humans. ### Why is there a glowing beetle in my garden? You likely have a female glow-worm on low vegetation calling for a mate. Gardens with long grass, leaf litter and nearby meadows are attractive habitat. ### How can I encourage glow-worms in my garden? Maintain areas of long grass, native wildflowers, undisturbed leaf litter and a supply of snails/slugs. Avoid heavy pesticide use and bright artificial night lighting. ### How do I get rid of glow-worms? They are beneficial and protected in some areas—avoid removing them. If necessary, gently relocate individuals to nearby suitable habitat rather than killing them. ### When can I see glow-worms? Warm, calm evenings in mid-summer (often June to August) after dusk are the best times to see them. --- More about this species: [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/143617), [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lampyris_noctiluca). Identify insects and spiders from a photo with the Insect Scanner iPhone app: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1543946563?pt=126685406&ct=web-markdown&mt=8 Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.