glowworm

noun

glow·​worm ˈglō-ˌwərm 

: any of various luminous insect larvae or adults with wings rudimentary or lacking

especially : a larva or wingless female of a firefly (family Lampyridae) that emits light from the abdomen

Did you know?

This is any crawling, luminous insect that emits light either continuously, or in prolonged glows, rather than in the brief flashes that are characteristic of most fireflies. Glowworms include larvae and adult (often wingless) females of fireflies and certain other beetle species, as well as the larvae of certain gnat species. They are widely distributed. There is great diversity in the size, number, location, and structure of the bioluminescent organs of glowworms.

Examples of glowworm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In fact, male glowworms under artificial light often simply tucked in their heads to protect themselves from the light and stopped moving or looking for a mate at all. —Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2024

Male glowworms, which generally don't light up, have enormous eyes. —Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 7 June 2024

From climbable crystal formations to neon-bright glowworm habitats, there's a whole world of stuff to explore below the Earth's surface, and spelunking through it is an experience every traveler should have. —Kaye Toal, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2024

Before descending, stop at the Waitomo Caves Discovery Centre to learn more about the glowworms and to book tours for all ages and fitness levels. —Kaye Toal, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2024

Beyond the feudal Campagna below there are forests, where the Head Forester sends his Mauretanians and glowworms to terrorize the peasants. —Thomas Meaney, Harper’s Magazine , 16 Feb. 2023

David Seilly, our glowworm expert and guide, is addressing the crowd. —Jules Howard, Discover Magazine, 2 Oct. 2014

Picture everyone on the tour turning off their flashlights, then your eyes adjust to witness these glowworms lighting up the rock faces. —Brent Conklin | [e-mail], al, 31 May 2020

Spend a day black-water tubing through caverns lit by thousands of tiny glowworms, traveling to the cave entrance via zip line and finishing the adventure on a series of natural rock slides. —National Geographic, 20 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

glowworm

noun

glow·​worm ˈglō-ˌwərm 

: any of various insect larvae or adults (as of a firefly) that give off light