What is it Wednesday archive: September 19, 2018

Can you identify what's in this photo?

 

 

Each Wednesday morning 

on Camp Lutherlyn's Facebook page

 the Lutherlyn Environmental Education Program posts a photo. 

 

 

Readers have all morning and afternoon 

to make their best guess about what the photo is. 

 

Around 6 pm LEEP provides the answer and a brief explanation.

 

 

Each week's What is it Wednesday post 

will also be posted on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

 after it is posted on Facebook,

sometimes with additional bonus information. 

 

In addition to bringing you current editions of What is it Wednesday 

on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

we will be reposting old editions,

creating a What is it Wednesday archive. 

 

This photo was posted as a What is it Wednesday on

September 19, 2018. 

 

 

 

And the answer is....

This is the larva of a firefly. 

We see firefly larvae fairly often this time of year, along the edges of dirt roads and in the grass. They don't flash brightly like the adults, but they do have a gentle glow, that occasionally fades slowly on and off. They are sometimes called glowworms. The ability of an animal or plant to create light is called bioluminesence. 

Firefly larva are ferocious eaters, devouring small soft-bodied animals like worms and slugs. They overwinter just under the soil or leaves, pupate in the late spring, then emerge as adults in early summer.

Many people have never seen a firefly larva, but you might spot one on a LEEP night hike – we love leading night hikes at summer camp, school field trips, and retreats. 

2020 Update: compare this larva to the ladybug larva posted on June 17, 2020. What is similar? What is different? Do you think you would confuse one for the other if you found one in real life? Why are why not?

Like and follow Camp Lutherlyn on Facebook, to see What is it Wednesday posts when they come out and have the opportunity to share your guesses in the comments!