Survey, captive rearing and translocation of the European glow-worm Lampyris noctiluca

Mitigation for a development initiated a ten-year study of the European glow-worm (L. noctiluca) including field survey, pitfall trapping, captive breeding and translocation methodologies. Preliminary results indicated a field ratio of sixty-three larvae for each adult female. The species is relatively resilient to disturbance and breeds readily in captivity. L. noctiluca has possibly been introduced to railways with ballast. Substrate (including turf) collection may be a suitable translocation method but pitfall trapping of larvae provides a more readily assayable technique. Habitat management should provide a mosaic of open areas suitable for courtship display, well drained substrate for the laying and hatching of eggs and moister vegetation to encourage mollusc prey.