Glow worms spotted on Birmingham canal
ONCE a common sight along hedgerows in England and Wales, glow worms have recently been spotted along the Worcestershire & Birmingham Canal.
The Canal & River Trust is asking local people to send in any sightings of the magical bugs so they can be protected.
Over the years there has been a dramatic decrease in the number of glow worms, probably due to a loss and fragmentation of habitat, the use of pesticides and from people collecting them. The region’s canals, with their warm habitats rich in snails and invertebrate life and long-connected corridors, free from pesticides, provide a good habitat for the glow worms.
Paul Wilkinson, senior ecologist at the trust, said: “We’re really keen to find out if they are living anywhere else along the canal and how they’re doing.
“The females don’t have wings so colonies tend to be restricted to a local area but occasionally, where they are doing well, you may be lucky enough to see a cluster of glowing lights mysteriously shining from within the towpath edges.”
He continued: “They are not easy to spot so there could be other colonies that we don’t know about. If you do spot any please let us know, and please do not disturb them, they are rare and vulnerable and can only survive in a few special places.
“It’s important we know where these wonderful insects are living so they can be protected and continue to shine a light on our wonderful wildlife and countryside.”
A female glow worm was seen in a bush alongside the canal glowing away in a bid to attract a male. The flightless females climb tall blades of grass at night and light up to attract a winged male to mate with. Despite their common name, glow worms are actually beetles and typically live for around three years in grassland habitats.
Once they’ve found a partner, the females stop glowing and return to the ground to lay their eggs. The females require undisturbed rough grass and hedges where they can feed and advertise their presence with their bright green glowing bottoms.
If anyone spots any glow worms along the canal, please email enquiries.westmidlands@canalrivertrust.org.uk