Railroad worm | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Coleoptera |
Family: | Phengodidae |
Genus: |
Phrixothrix E.Olivier, 1909 |
Species | |
(several) |
A railroad worm is a larva or larviform female adult of a beetle of the genus Phrixothrix in the family Phengodidae, characterized by the possession of two different colors of bioluminescence. [1] It has the appearance of a caterpillar. The eleven pairs of luminescent organs on their second thoracic segment through their ninth abdominal segment can glow yellowish-green, while the pair on their head can glow red; [1] this is due to different luciferases in their bodies, as the reaction substrate, called luciferin, is the same. [2]
The "railroad worm" name arises because these glowing spots along the body resemble the windows of train cars internally illuminated in the night. [1] The light emissions are believed to possibly be a warning signal to nocturnal predators of their unpalatability or a defense function as they can suddenly be turned on spooking preditors with the sudden flash. When handled, larava may eject a possibly distastefull and corrosive reddish liquid. [1]
The term "railroad worm" is also sometimes applied to the apple maggot. [3]
Railroad worm | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Coleoptera |
Family: | Phengodidae |
Genus: |
Phrixothrix E.Olivier, 1909 |
Species | |
(several) |
A railroad worm is a larva or larviform female adult of a beetle of the genus Phrixothrix in the family Phengodidae, characterized by the possession of two different colors of bioluminescence. [1] It has the appearance of a caterpillar. The eleven pairs of luminescent organs on their second thoracic segment through their ninth abdominal segment can glow yellowish-green, while the pair on their head can glow red; [1] this is due to different luciferases in their bodies, as the reaction substrate, called luciferin, is the same. [2]
The "railroad worm" name arises because these glowing spots along the body resemble the windows of train cars internally illuminated in the night. [1] The light emissions are believed to possibly be a warning signal to nocturnal predators of their unpalatability or a defense function as they can suddenly be turned on spooking preditors with the sudden flash. When handled, larava may eject a possibly distastefull and corrosive reddish liquid. [1]
The term "railroad worm" is also sometimes applied to the apple maggot. [3]