glowworm

[ gloh-wurm ]

noun

1. the wingless female or larva of the European beetle, Lampyris noctiluca, which emits a sustained greenish light.
2. any of various other beetle larvae or wingless females that emit a glow rather than a flash of light.

Word History and Origins

Origin of glowworm¹

1300–50; Middle English. See glow, worm

Example Sentences

For visitors to New Zealand, the chance to see a haka, the ceremonial Maori dance, has long been as much a part of the country’s allure as its glaciers, geysers and glowworm caves.

From New York Times

But here, the bioluminescence is turquoise like the glowworm caves in New Zealand.

From Literature

They’re the same glowworms found in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves in New Zealand.

From Literature

“My coworker is screaming from her crib because she doesn’t have her glowworm.”

From The Guardian

“A number of different studies have shown that artificial light in a glowworm habitat actually prevents the males from finding the females,” Lewis said.

From Washington Post