Millipede-predation
Guides
Phengodes
glowworms
Phengodes is a genus of glowworm beetles in the family Phengodidae, containing more than 30 described species. The genus is particularly diverse in Mexico, where 21 species have been documented. Larvae of at least some species are specialized predators of millipedes, employing unique strategies to circumvent their prey's chemical defenses.
Phengodidae
glowworm beetles, glow-worms, railroad-worms, trenecitos, bigotudos
Phengodidae is a family of bioluminescent beetles commonly known as glowworm beetles. The family contains over 250 described species distributed throughout the New World from southern Canada to Chile, with additional diversity in Western Asia through the subfamily Cydistinae. Females and larvae possess bioluminescent organs that emit yellow, green, or red light; the Brazilian railroad worm Phrixothrix hirtus is the only terrestrial organism known to produce true red light. Females are larviform and typically much larger than males, which are winged, short-lived, and often attracted to lights. The family was formerly considered to include the Old World Rhagophthalmidae, now recognized as a separate family.