Have you ever seen a glow worm? (From Mid Devon Star)

Have you ever seen a glow worm?

5:00pm Sunday 1st July 2012 in News

HAVE you ever seen a real-life glow-worm? That’s the question Devon Wildlife Trust is asking people living in Mid Devon this summer.

According to the Trust, researchers now fear that the glow-worm’s light may be disappearing from our lives forever, with growing evidence suggesting that the creature is dying out.

Once a common night-time sight across Devon’s meadows, grasslands, grass verges and hedgerows, a combination of increased herbicide/pesticide use and over- grass cutting is believed to have destroyed many glow-worm colonies.

Steve Hussey of Devon Wildlife Trust said: “We’re looking for the public to help us assist these wonderful creatures. Please be on the lookout in your area for the glow-worm’s unique green-yellow light.

“Those planning to go spotting should look in grassy areas. The female glow-worms appear at the end of tall grass stems where they display their glowing abdomen to attract a mate. Glow-worm’s can be seen after dark from May through to September, with a peak of activity in July.”

Devon Wildlife Trust hopes that members of the public will contact them with details of their sightings and has set up a special glow-worm survey form online which takes just a couple of minutes to complete.

You can find the form online at www.devonwildlifetrust.org You can also call Devon Wildlife Trust with details of the location and date of your glow-worm sighting on 01392-279244.