Glowworm vs. Firefly

Glowwormnoun

The larva or wingless grub-like female of a beetle from the families Phengodidae or Lampyridae that gives out a green light from its abdomen.

Glowwormnoun

A carnivorous gnat larva in the keroplatid genus Arachnocampa that spins threads to capture insects attracted by its glow.

Glowwormnoun

A coleopterous insect of the genus Lampyris; esp., the wingless females and larvæ of the two European species (L. noctiluca, and L. splendidula), which emit light from some of the abdominal segments.

Glowwormnoun

the luminous larva or wingless grub-like female of a firefly

Glowworm

Glowworm or glow-worm is the common name for various groups of insect larvae and adult larviform females that glow through bioluminescence. They include the European common glow-worm and other members of the Lampyridae, but bioluminescence also occurs in the families Elateridae, Phengodidae, and Rhagophthalmidae among beetles; as well as members of the genera Arachnocampa, Keroplatus, and Orfelia among keroplatid fungus gnats.

Fireflynoun

Any beetle of the family Lampyridae, which exhibit bioluminescence during twilight.

Fireflynoun

Any luminous winged insect, esp. luminous beetles of the family Lampyridæ.

Fireflynoun

tropical American click beetle having bright luminous spots

Fireflynoun

nocturnal beetle common in warm regions having luminescent abdominal organs

Firefly

The Lampyridae are a family of insects in the beetle order Coleoptera with more than 2,000 described species. They are soft-bodied beetles that are commonly called fireflies, glowworms, or lightning bugs for their conspicuous use of bioluminescence during twilight to attract mates or prey.