Bradford P. Ward  -  Children's Book Author
  • Welcome
    • From the Author
  • Parents and Teachers
    • Pre-Reading Activities
    • S.T.E.M. Activity Ideas and S.T.E.M. Education >
      • S.T.E.M. Activities to Complement Cockroach of Meadowfield >
        • Stop Motion Animation
        • Design an Insect Trap
        • Making Bug Robots
        • Pollination Project
    • Reading Activities for: 'A Pilgrimage of Pests' >
      • The Brownings
      • The Great Cold
      • The Warming Times
    • Reading Activities for: "The Great Cicada Ball" >
      • Deadlines
      • The Gates Open
      • The Finale
    • Reading Activities for "Heroes of Meadowfield" >
      • Search Parties
      • The Loomers
      • Revolution
    • The Moth Catcher: Cryptic Coloration
    • Metamorphosis Activity
    • Insect Picture Library
    • Mapping Meadowfield
  • Young Reader Pages
    • Bug Games to Play
    • A Pilgrimage of Pests >
      • Worker 1200
      • Cockroach
      • Silverfish
      • Praying Mantis
      • Glowworm
      • Old Yellow Fat
      • Stinkbug
      • Grand-Daddy Long Legs
      • Book Louse
      • Acorn Weevil
    • The Great Cicada Ball >
      • Water Strider
      • Gypsy Moth Caterpillar
      • Stag Beetle
      • Robber Fly
      • Luna Moth
      • Earwig
      • Goliath Beetle
      • Ra
      • Dung Beetle
      • Periodical Cicada
    • Heroes of Meadowfield >
      • Forager Bee
      • Bombardier Beetle
      • Scout Bee
      • Cicada Killer Wasp
      • Queen Bee
      • The Hive
  • Windward ArtWorks
    • Available Sconces 4/24
    • Framed Sea Glass Pictures
    • Ceramic Plant Sconces >
      • Cone Sconce Style Large
      • Cone Sconce Style Small
      • Round Sconce Style Large
      • Round Sconce Style Small
  • Brad's Blog

Glowworm

Glowworms or railroad worms are not worms at all, but are beetle larvae.  The smaller adult male has wings and is short-lived, while the adult female remains in a form similar to the larvae. The females and larvae live in leaf litter where they prey on millipedes and other small arthropods.  They have a series of luminescent organs along the side of their worm-like bodies that produce a greenish yellow glow.
Image: Copyright © 2011 Ashley M. Bradford

Button Text
    artwork by Bradford P Ward
Picture
At suntime's end, glowworms can be found wandering around Silverfish's silvery cylinder.  They make their presence known by their unmistakable greenish glow.  Although the glowworms seem to enjoy the company of their neighbors, they have little to offer in conversation—you see, they can't utter a word.

Their glow around the old stump provides a pleasing ambiance for the meal that Cockroach reluctantly prepares for Silverfish.  It is during this suntime's end dinner that Silverfish takes her first taste of Cockroach's prized, sweet, Loomer crystal cube.  That's when you'll realize, things will never be the same at the silvery cylinder—ever again.

Find out what happens by reading A Pilgrimage of Pests and all the  books that make up the Cockroach of Meadowfield trilogy.


This is a pair of really cool videos.  They were filmed inside a cave in New Zealand where an unusual species of glowworm hangs down like crystal chandeliers.  The glowworms use their beautiful, blue light to attract tiny insects which they trap in sticky mucus threads. Then they reel in the prey and eat it.
Back To Pilgrimage Homepage
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.