Bats are fascinating creatures that come out at night to feed on a variety of insects. Often seen swooping through the sky, these nocturnal mammals rely on their outstanding echolocation skills to catch and eat their prey.
One insect that has left many curious to know if it’s part of bats’ diet is the firefly. These bioluminescent insects light up the night with their enchanting glow, creating a mesmerizing spectacle for onlookers. As bats play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem, understanding their feeding habits and preferences helps us appreciate their significance in the natural world.
Bats and Fireflies
General Characteristics of Bats
- Bats are the only flying mammals
- Bats primarily feed on insects, including moths, beetles, and mosquitoes
- Over 1,100 known species of bats
- Most bats are nocturnal and use echolocation to locate prey
Bats play a significant role in controlling insect populations. For example, a single little brown bat can eat 4 to 8 grams of insects each night.
General Characteristics of Fireflies
- Fireflies are bioluminescent beetles
- They produce light through a chemical reaction in their abdomen
- Males and females communicate using light signals
- Approximately 2,000 known species of fireflies
Fireflies are not only fascinating but also useful. They play a crucial role in natural pest control by preying on slugs, snails, and other pests.
Comparison Table: Bats vs. Fireflies
| Feature | Bats | Fireflies |
|---|---|---|
| Class | Mammal | Insect |
| Primary Diet | Insects | Snails, slugs, insect larvae |
| Number of Species | Over 1,100 | Around 2,000 |
| Unique Abilities | Flight, echolocation | Bioluminescence, light communication |
In conclusion, both bats and fireflies are essential to maintaining balanced ecosystems. While bats are voracious insect predators, fireflies also contribute to natural pest control. Learning more about these fascinating creatures will undoubtedly increase our appreciation for their roles in the environment.
Dietary Interactions
What Bats Typically Eat
Bats have a diverse diet, but most species eat insects found in the night sky. For example, a little brown bat can consume 4 to 8 grams of insects each night. Other bats enjoy:
- Fruit: Some bats are frugivores, meaning they eat fruits like figs, mangoes, dates, and bananas.
- Small animals: Certain species of bats eat birds, fish, frogs, lizards, or even other bats.
What Fireflies Typically Eat
As for fireflies, they eat mainly:
- Insects: Including snails, slugs, aphids, and mosquito larvae.
- Nectar and pollen: As an occasional part of their diet.
However, interactions between bats and fireflies do occur. Bats are attracted to insects that emit light, such as fireflies. Despite this attraction, bats may not consume fireflies as frequently as other insects, possibly due to a chemical in the fireflies called lucibufagins that can make them unpalatable or poisonous to some predators.
Here is a comparison table detailing the dietary habits of the two species:
| Species | Primary Diet | Secondary Diet |
|---|---|---|
| Bats | Insects | Fruits, small animals |
| Fireflies | Insects | Nectar and pollen |
70 Comments. Leave new
We have found the same creature in Manitou Springs at 7000ft. They glow green, and look generally the same. Do you think their is a possibility that they could be moving up into the mountains?
We are uncertain of the altitude preferences for Glowworms.
Saw two last night at 8800′ near Idaho Spgs
We have outside tonight @ about 8000ft in pine junction, co. Never heard of one before tonight. Like a lightning bug that crawls.
I found one in Pine Co. on June 20th 2015 @ around 9:45pm. Never knew they existed but we got some pics and video—super cool!!!
I just found one of these last night (4th of July) as I was on a night hike up Massey Draw in the Ken Caryl valley right next to the Foothills (approx. 7,000 ft. elevation). I saw something glowing in the distance on a rock, I thought it was a firefly but when I approached it and shined my light on it it was a little pink worm with a glowing green end (head or tail in not sure). I took a picture but I couldn’t get my camera to focus on it in the dark, but you can tell it’s the same as the worm above. I asked my dad what it was in the morning and he said he has never heard of glow worms in Colorado and he has lived and hiked here for over 60 years.
me and my friend Scott found a glow worm at 8,000 feet also it has to be the same species we are going to look for more this yearand try to classify it
Thanks for letting us know. This is a very old posting. If you find any Glowworms, please take photos and submit them for our archive. Please use a “Colorado Glowworm” as the subject line to ensure you get our attention.
I’ve seen this larval-looking female Microphotus pecosensis several times at 6000 ft. in Oak Creek Canyon, south of Flagstaff, AZ. I didn’t know there was a fire fly that didn’t flash while flying. A friend just found one a few nights ago about 7300 ft. on the slope of Mt. Elden on the north side of Flagstaff. As he watched, two adult males came and mated with the female.
Wow, we wish we could post those Glowworm mating images.
Two nights ago, a friend and I found several glowworms at about 8,000 foot outside of Woodland Park. I had never seen any before. They were cool.
this is too funny,so I am looking online to find info on glow worms in Colorado and I find this site and see that my friend joel has already left a comment!!!we did see several glow worms near rampart res.I have lived here 20 yrs and never saw them until now
For the last couple of nights looking out of our bedroom window…rt there on the ground we saw 3 green glowing lights. Both my husband and son went with flash lights to investigate. They said the bugs were like tiny worms with the heads lit up..,what are they & there in the same spot even to night.
I was coming down Barr Trail (Manitou Springs) and saw several of these worms. They seem to like the scrub oak.
We saw one in Buffalo Creek, CO (~6,800 ft) on July 11, 2014.
I have some good pic.s but don’t know how to post them here.
You can submit images using the Ask What’s That Bug? link on our site.
We saw one in Buffalo Creek, CO (~6,800 ft) on July 11, 2014.
I have some good pic.s but don’t know how to post them here.
I was actually digging in our garden last night in Lehi, UT (~4,000 ft?) and found something similar. At first I thought I was hitting rocks with my shovel and causing sparks, but then realized it was actually these glowing grub-like creatures. Tiny, about the size of the tip of a ball-point pen, glowing green. I’ve lived in the intermountain west my whole life and I’ve never seen anything like them. Wish I would’ve taken a photo. If what I saw is the same as the Colorado glowworm, what does it grow up to be? Or is the worm stage it’s mature, adult stage? (bug newby)
Glowworms are beetles.
Found one last night in Orem UT (just 20 miles south of Lehi, see post above), and about 4500 ft elevation. It isn’t as developed as the critter shown in the original post, but the green glowing tip is pretty eerie as you weed in the garden just after dusk! I’ll upload some pictures.
We live at 9500′ elevation near Hartsel, CO and noticed a strange glow off our deck while star watching. We got out our flashlight and tracked down the light source, it was a very tiny, (1/4″) long and worm looking. It has been on te same rock for 2 nights now.
We saw 2 glow worms while camping in the Rampart range just West of Devils Head. They were glowing flourecent green. Half the body was yellow and the other half pink. I have lived here and explored Colorados mountains for 35 years and have never seen them before.
These glowworms are looking peculiar. I am also seeing this type of worm for the first time. People mentioned that they have seen this worm in mountain regions. Only a few people go to mountains and found them. so, it would be a strange one to the people living in the region. The experts might be got the name of this worm.
I have seen two of these creatures or something similar here in South Carolina at an elevation of only 292 feet. Never seen these before tonight!
Such an inspiration!
I live just out side of Williams AZ at about 6800 ft. For the first time we have this bug. Never have seen it before. We found quite a few of them. The date 6-21-16 time 9:26pm. Red with green glow.
I just came upon a bright light while out hiking on a July night outside Saguache in the San Luis Valley–over 9,000 feet. Upon close inspection I discovered a tiny, pink worm with an illuminated tail embedded in the embankment along side the dirt road! I’ve never seen anything like it. Such a dazzling light in the moonless night.
I’ve seen them around the hot springs above Saguache every time I’ve been there in th fall
I just found one on my flagstone patio! I live in the foothills of Tucson,AZ. All lights off, and looked down to see a tiny green glowing light. Gently picked up with a soft towel -a tiny little pink worm with green glowing head. (Or tail) I brought it inside to investigate further, and with the light on, the creature’s green light went off! I took it back outside (dark) and after a few minutes, the green light was back again! Never seen before. 10:30pm, July 15, 2016. I took photos-will try to upload tomorrow!
You may submit images using the Ask What’s That Bug? link on our site.
Saw one on a rock in Wlidcat Canyon near Lake George, Colorado, then found at least 5 more that night further up river, July 16th, 2016. Been hiking and camping CO for 20 years, live close to Pine Junction, never seen them. Very cool!
Saw numerous glow worms at Mueller State Park, outside of Divide, Colorado, last summer around July 4th. Each one we found were were situated exactly in the middle of the cement parking curbs in the campground. Don’t know if this could be attributed to some kind of temperature preference for the glow worm…
Just saw one of these little guys on a overnight camping trip just north of Payson AZ below the Mogollon Rim / See canyon , They are bright on a dark night , It was in the red rocks at about 6,000 ft. First time I had ever seen. Thank you all for your information , I had never seen one befor then .
Four were in back yard last night. I live at the West End of Manitou Springs.
I saw one of these in the mountains on 6/15/2017 on a rock at first i thought it was reflection from the fire but i grabbed a flash light and had to check it out sure enough a worm. First time ever seening one i found him in the mountains north west of saguache colorado
We were standing on our deck last night and saw a single glowing light on a rock in our backyard. When we investigated we found one pink glowworm. We live at 6,475 feet in the foothills of the Wet Mountains near Florence, CO. If we find more we will photograph and post. Have never heard of nor seen any of these in my 42 years of exploring Colorado.
Sighted these on Mt. Charleston just north of Las Vegas NV. Probably around 8500 ft of elevation.
Saw one tonight in Tucson, AZ. Got a small video on it. Light just went out after five minutes but the worm continued to crawl. It was dark out. Probably 2400 ft above sea level.
At my parents house in Colorado Springs there is a tree in their backyard that has these green glowing lights. we’ve seen them the past couple of years but only in this one type of tree. (no clue what kind) but last night I counted about 15-20 green ones and 1 red one. they seem to appear every year right before it gets cold. Is there any definite answer as to what these are?
Can you take a picture of the tree?
I saw one of these a few years back (2014), 6500 ft elevation, Montezuma, NM. Never seen one before, never seen one since
Our house is at 6600′ near Mountainair, NM. I have seen 3 of these beatles, so they are in central New Mexico. Interestingly one was on our patio in February when it was below freezing!
My wife and I saw several of these insects glowing together on a rock in our yard this evening. Lived here for 11 years, and this is the first time we’ve seen them. We live in Woodland Park, CO @ 8,700 feet. Fire fly makes sense – they do seem to be in a larva stage. Although, we’ve never seen any actual mature flies at night at this altitude -we don’t even hear crickets at night (something I miss terribly, since moving from the east coast).
Spotted one last night at 8200′ (Sampson Mountain) in Jefferson county, Colorado. First I have seen since moving here 12 years ago. Very bright glow.
Saw and have photos of a presumed female in Santa Fe, NM on July 14, 2018. Bright constant glow. Have not seen one before in the 20 years living here.
We would love to review and possibly post your images. You may submit them by using the Ask What’s That Bug? link on our site. Please put “Female Glowworm” in the subject line to get our attentin.
Saw a couple of these exact bugs in Bandelier National Park this past weekend. Rangers said they were “glowworms” but I was skeptical. Glad to have found this site and learn their real name. Not sure why they are called fireflies or glowworms. The green light from their tail end looks just like the fireflies I remember from home back East. But these guys don’t fly. Rather they move more like a caterpillar.
Hey, Rebecca! Loved your question!
Nice to know there are others who have childhood mysteries needing to be solved!
Isn’t this website THE BEST???
Roni
PS I accidentally sent this comment to a previous “inquisitor”. Oops.
Hey, Rebecca! Loved your question!
Nice to know there are others who have childhood mysteries needing to be solved!
Isn’t this website THE BEST???
Roni
PS I accidentally sent this comment to a previous “inquisitor”. Oops.
I just found some glow worms/bugs at 9200-9400 feet on Pikes Peak last week. It was like a larve. Kinda squishy when I touched it. It never changed brightness after I touched it. Bigger than a BB but smaller than a pea. Groups of 4-8 in areas of 15ft circumference. on nothing but granite. What the heck are these??? Never seen them in 20 + years on the peak. Please help!
Saw them in Lake George at 8500 ft on June 23, 2019. They look like larva. Very little ability to move around. I was thrilled. I missed the Kansas fire flies of my chilhood. Glad to see them in CO, but would love to identify them. No legs or antenna. 1/4 “.
We had three appear immediately following a rain shower from under the river rocks that are in our yard. It has been over 3 years I believe since there was one that made an appearance. Hopefully they are multiplying under the river rocks.
Observed three in the same spot as last year (Santa Fe/Tseuque, NM) exactly the same time – first two weeks in July. Moving around to a different location each day.
I live in evergreen CO at 8600 ft. I have five of the same on my property. They are absolutely amazing and I’ve never seen anything like it CO in all my years. Born and raised in the mountains.
I just saw several last night outside of Snowmass Village, at about 9,000 feet. It was on a trail I’ve hiked regularly for years, but I’ve never seen or noticed them before.
I just saw one of something very similar looking in Park County, Colorado, at around 9300 feet.
Adding to my previous reply from yesterday…
Looking at my pictures, the one I found appears to be a bit lighter in color than the pic above (though they were taken during the day.. I couldn’t get a night pic)
I also wanted to mention that it did not blink its ‘light’, but was able to control the brightness (or turn it off).
The actual light organ appeared to be on the bottom of the last segment, although glow from it could be seen from the top in both of the last 2.
——
This is the first time I’ve ever come across any ‘lighted’ bug!
Adding to my previous reply from yesterday…
Looking at my pictures, the one I found appears to be a bit lighter in color than the pic above (though they were taken during the day.. I couldn’t get a night pic)
I also wanted to mention that it did not blink its ‘light’, but was able to control the brightness (or turn it off).
The actual light organ appeared to be on the bottom of the last segment, although glow from it could be seen from the top in both of the last 2.
——
This is the first time I’ve ever come across any ‘lighted’ bug!
We live at 6200 feet between wetmore and Florence Colorado. There is a glow worm in our yard tonight.
Years ago, before the 2000s, we saw them a few times up here but that was before was such a drought.
Thank you for having and maintaining site. It is excellent!
We live at 6200 feet between wetmore and Florence Colorado. There is a glow worm in our yard tonight.
Years ago, before the 2000s, we saw them a few times up here but that was before was such a drought.
Thank you for having and maintaining site. It is excellent!
I am also seeing these in my yard (south of Cañon City CO)for the first time in 16 years. There are 3 that glow shortly after sunset and move short distances each day around rock garden, ground cover.
We live at 9300 ft elevation near Bishop’s Castle and started seeing the little worm like bugs tonight.
Curious to whether these are a firefly larvae or an actual type of glow worm.
Can anyone clarify?
We live at 9300 ft elevation near Bishop’s Castle and started seeing the little worm like bugs tonight.
Curious to whether these are a firefly larvae or an actual type of glow worm.
Can anyone clarify?
Hello! Happy 4th of July to everyone! I live in Poncha Springs, CO- near Salida. As I was waiting for the fireworks show to begin, I found what other people are describing as a small flat pink worm with a brightly lit green “booty”, in a patch of tall grass and wildflowers. I only seen the one, but it is very overgrown in that moist area by the cherry tree. I’ve never seen a bioluminescent creature in Colorado, and I am a born and raised in Colorado gal. I will be looking daily for more!
Went for a walk last night and spotted five or six of these creatures at about 7200’ elevation, straight east of Spring City, Utah. They were all hanging out among the dead scrub oak leaves on the ground. Hard to capture the glow on my iPhone, but I do have a pic of the worm and will send it to you.
Vegas lights via “Bioluminsescent Beetle”. Tonight at Mt. Charelston, Las Vegas ~ 8:50pm, in my happy place of 76 degree weather during the 118 heatwave, was suddenly confounded by what lay ahead? Making my way down the pitch-dark, tree-lined pathway, I suddenly found my eyes blinking like butterfly flutters. “Do my eyes deceive me? Did I strike gold, wait, Nevada is silver.” I halted my gate to a shattered glass walker. Upon arrival, in catcher’s position I extracted my loupe, pulled down my welder’s helmet and began exploring the mystifying soil. Pushing around the pinhead glow I suddenly jerked, there was movement like a dog squimmering on his back; backward and forward, C-crunching. As the blanketed dirt fell aside and fully exposed the glow, to my facinated and bewildered surprise was a worm the length of sewing needle. Only the tip beamed a glorious flourescent green. What a wonder, what a waunderlust for worms, what-in-the-world? Who-“wood”a-wagered their greenback on green glowworms in Vegas? Next stop Allegheny National Forest, Waitomo-hmmm?
I have found bioluminescent caterpillars in the Oregon forests. They had yellow horizontal glowing stripes across their body. I discovered them in 2016. Very exciting! Ella, Portland
These are called Douglas Fir Glow Worms and they’re quite common on the coast any place that has lots of winter moisture and a lot of slugs and millipedes There’s a good picture FB link to what they look like in their adult form. https://www.facebook.com/zenaforest/posts/we-have-glow-worms-in-oregon-i-and-no-idea-after-a-bunch-of-googling-i-discovere/1013542745331255/
I have seen them them every Fall, Winter and Spring here in SW Oregon
Saw two of these glowing bugs in our front yard outside Pagosa Springs. I’m a Colorado native and never saw these before. Interesting!
We saw one last night & still there tonight, still glowing. Took pictures.. we live at 7500 ft in Morrison, CO, lived here for 54 years & never seen them before. My wife grew up here & she has never seen them either.