Glow-worms to light up a national park

Glow-worms could be lighting up South Downs National Park, after being introduced to a new site there.

The common glow-worm has struggled in the UK because of artificial lighting and habitat loss, and are now classified as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

So, conservationists are hoping that by creating a new home on the dark sky reserve - which is a place where there isn't much light pollution - the species can flourish.

Nature conservationist Derek Gow, from Keep It Wild, says that "projects like this are essential for nature's restoration".

The larvae - which are young glow-worms - have come from Devon, and are expected to grow into adults by next summer.

Which is when we might catch glimpses of the glowing displays, thanks to the dark skies surrounding the park.

A spokesman for the national park authority says that in the summer months "females put on a spectacular night-time display as they emit light to attract a male, which have large, photosensitive eyes".

Despite their name, glow-worms are actually small beetles.

They usually live under rocks in grasslands and woodlands and are nocturnal creatures, which means they stay up through the night.

Male glow-worms look like typical beetles, but the females look more like larvae and can shine a bright green light at night.