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May 21, 2009
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Favourites: 29 [who?]


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Canon
Canon EOS 40D
1/332 second
F/10.0
105 mm
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Jul 24, 2008, 1:02:42 PM
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:iconcristian-m:
Railroad Worm (genus Phrixothrix)

A Railroad Worm is a larva or larviform female adult of a beetle of the genus Phrixothrix in the family Phengodidae, characterized by their unique possession of two different colors of bioluminescence. The luminescent organs of their body can glow green, while those on their head can glow red; this is due to two different kinds of luciferins and luciferases in their bodies. This is believed to be an adaptation to help confuse and frighten predators.

The term "Railroad Worm" is also sometimes applied to the Apple maggot.

The beetle family Phengodidae is known also as Glowworm Beetles, whose larvae are known as glowworms. The females and larvae have bioluminescent organs. They occur throughout the New World from extreme southern Canada to Chile. The family Rhagophthalmidae, an Old World group, used to be included in the Phengodidae. Larval and larviform female glowworms are predators, feeding on millipedes and other arthropods occurring in soil and litter. The winged males, which are often attracted to lights at night, are short-lived and probably do not feed. Females are much larger than the males and are completely larviform. Males may be luminescent, but females and larvae have a series of luminescent organs on trunk segments which emit yellow or green light.

More info: [link] , [link]

Thanks to Barry :iconchemoelectric: for identifying it. Check out his gallery! :nod:

Featured by the lovely and talented Judy :icontazzy-: in her "1287 and counting" journal: [link] .
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:icontazzy-:
*Tazzy- Jul 2, 2009  Professional Photographer
I have featured this here. =D [link]
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:iconcristian-m:
~Cristian-M Jul 17, 2009
Thanks Judy!
I mentioned your journal in the image's description. :)
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:iconkyphoscoliosis:
*kyphoscoliosis Jun 22, 2009
So THAT'S what those are! Wow, I always wondered :)
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:iconcristian-m:
~Cristian-M Jun 22, 2009
I didn't know either, but I'm fortunate to have dA friends who help me identify some of the things I can't. The next time time I see one, I'll have too look at it in the dark.

Thanks for the 2 :+fav:s! :)
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:iconkyphoscoliosis:
*kyphoscoliosis Jun 22, 2009
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! I didn't know these guys GLOWED. That is so cool!! I didn't know what you were talking about until I looked it up! OMG that is amazing O: Raaaave buuuuggg o.o
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:iconcristian-m:
~Cristian-M Jun 22, 2009
:lol:
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:iconldfranklin:
*LDFranklin Jun 11, 2009  Hobbyist Photographer
Oh wow! Amazing!
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:icontazzy-:
*Tazzy- Jun 5, 2009  Professional Photographer
Very cool!
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:iconparadigmparadox:
~ParadigmParadox May 26, 2009
Now you have to go track another one down to catch the glow. :) The daylight colors sure are nice and bright on their own though.
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:iconcristian-m:
~Cristian-M May 27, 2009
When I took the picture, I had no idea the larva glows in the dark.
I can't wait to find another one! :)
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