Pink Glowworm (Microphotous angustus)

Garden Glow Worm

I recently moved to Alpine, on Viejas Mountain, and I've found three of these wonderful creatures so far in my garden. The last (and first) one I saw was over 10 years ago in a bathroom at Cuyamaca State Park. I thought it was a smoldering cigarette.

Thanks for the info about looking for it in Jamul. That would be so cool to see a "Christmas Tree Lit" bush.

… robinredbeard, 22 June, 2006 - 8:33am

Pink Glowworm found in Ramona

I have found 2 of these glowworms, exactly like the one pictured here, in Ramona, CA. I found them on Mt. Woodson Road, near the hiking trail.

… sherisalomone, 12 June, 2006 - 4:17pm

Gloworm

If you go to the reference book, Insects of the LA Basin by Charles Hogue, you'll see he does describe them as a gloworm. I realize that they are not a true gloworm and that the male only emits a weak glow when disturbed, but is attracted to the female's glow. I have seen more gloworms on Cowles Mtn. depending upon the year, though not such a display as you describe.
Just where exactly in Jamul do they usually congregate?

… p. roullard, 31 January, 2006 - 9:55pm

directions

Your best chance in Jamul (without wandering onto someones property) would be in the bushes off the side of the road down Lyons Valley rd (a right then immidiete left going east off Skyline truck trail, take the second turnoff or you will be subject to ALOT of windy road too narrow to park on).

Some years they are abundant, others almost nonexistant(have to have an eye out for them). They are late may to the best of my estimate.

… Dainas, 2 February, 2006 - 5:18am

Not a proper "gloworm"

however its a female firefly (females of this species stay in their larval form) Males turn into classic fireflys and can and do light up when flying..but its soo rare and there has to be ALOT of female activity down below for them to do so. Your best chance of seeing this behaviour is in Jamul CA just (southeast of you in the mountains) which usualy maintains a pretty healthy population. Groups of females christmas tree light up bushes sometimes and are consistantly spread out over miles.... in good years

… Dainas, 31 January, 2006 - 8:29pm

Glowing pink gloworm

For the folks who asked about a view of the gloworm in daylight or with flash, just look at the images next to the nightime image. It is the same "worm" actually an undeveloped beetle larvae.

… p. roullard, 23 May, 2005 - 4:44pm

daylight or flash

Can you show us a picture of what it looks like in daylight or with a flash? Identification of glowworm and firefly larva has been quite a topic here for a while.

… john and jane balaban, 21 May, 2005 - 7:08pm

great shot.

I'm surprised by how much light it produces.

… Jim McClarin, 21 May, 2005 - 6:00pm