The Railroad Worm Glows in the Dark, as a Warning
JUne 30, 2018 - Spots on this bioluminescent beetle larva look like lights from a train window at night. Known as railroad worms for the glowing spots on their body, only the larvae and adult females glow. They can control the lights on their body, which warn predators they are toxic. Like many bioluminescent animals, their light is created by a chemical reaction.
Read "Living Fireworks, These Animals Produce Light Shows with Their Bodies"
This beetle larva looks typical, until the lights go out.
Known as railroad worms for the glowing spots on their body, only the larvae and adult females glow.
They can control the lights on their body, which warn predators they are toxic.
Like many bioluminescent animals, their light is created by a chemical reaction.
