If you have been out and about in June and July at dusk or late in the evening you may have noticed some greeny-orange lights in the flowerbeds or grassland habitats. No, it’s not a martian from H.G. Wells’ book, it’s more likely to be a Glow-Worm.

The Glow-worm is actually a beetle. The males look like typical beetles, but it is the female that uses her bioluminescent body to communicate with other beetles, in an attempt to attract a mate. During the day they burrow underground to avoid predators, but at night a female will climb to a higher vantage point and turn her glowing light upwards. This will ensure that she is visible to any flying males. Adult females only live for a few weeks, until they mate and lay their eggs, so take the opportunity to get out into nature during the summer months and have a hunt around.

More information can be found on the Wildlife Trusts website.