![]() As the larvae mature into adults, however, the males lose their ability to shine. The larvae don’t have distinct sexes, so everyone appears to glow. In their larval stage, glow worms use light as a warning to predators that the bugs weren’t good to eat. Scientists have documented several exceptions, especially those where males do a disproportionate amount of child-rearing, such as two-spotted gobies ( Gobiusculus flavescens). In many other species, males have gaudy ornaments, from brightly colored feathers to large antlers that help females decide who to mate with, as they indicate good health and, consequently, good genes to pass on to offspring.įemale ornamentation is rarer, probably because reproduction takes more time and energy from females and they are pickier about their mates. It’s a relatively rare example of females having ornamentation to attract males, says Bruce Lyon, an ecologist at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Past studies have shown that the brightness of a female glow worm corresponds to the number of eggs it will produce. In addition to being a nasty way to eat, research suggests female glow worms use their shine to entice males. From there, the glow worm will puncture the insect and suck out its insides. Their steady light is a hunting tactic to attract insects and ensnare their prey's wings in gooey strings that hang from the cave ceiling. ![]() Related: Nat Geo brings you inside glowworm caves with One Strange Rock.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |