Glow Worms

Glow worm larvae live on snails and it is thought that the limestone ballast along the Trail, from when it was a railway, means that there is plenty of calcium available for snails to make their shells and therefore plenty of snails for the glow worms.  The final three sections of the female's body glows in order to attract a mate.  The females do not travel far, spending their days at ground level and climbing up a grassy stalk at dusk.  The adults females only live for three weeks or so, during which time they will hopefully have been mated and laid eggs.

Carry out a Glow Worm Survey

The glow worm survey team

Once females have been mated they no longer glow.

We are keen to hear of any glow worm sightings on the Trail or further afield in the Biosphere Reserve so that we can include this information for a management strategy which is currently being drawn up for the Tarka Trail.  This strategy will help ensure that the interests of cyclists, walkers and wildlife are all taken into account during future management.  Anyone seeing glow worms or who would like some training prior to carrying out glow worm surveys should contact Tom Hynes of NDABS on 01237 423655 and if you take a photo of one, why not upload it and share it with others on our photo sharing website, www.Mybiosphere.org.uk