Glow-worms Lampyris noctiluca L. (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) in Essex
During three transect walks, 192 glowing females were observed at One Tree Hill, comprising 37%
of the total number of individuals which were recorded in the survey (Table 2). Other sites where
L. noctiluca was observed in relative abundance were Finches Nature Area and Manwood Chase.
L. noctiluca occurred in very low abundance at Staneway, Dry Street and Hatfield Forest. Glowing
females were observed in greatest concentration at One Tree Hill, where 19.20 individuals per 100
metres were recorded (Table 2). L. noctiluca individuals were also evident in high concentrations
at Hadleigh Castle and Manwood Chase. Glowing females occurred in particularly low
concentrations at Hatfield Forest (0.09 individuals per 100 metres) and Danbury Ridge. Individuals
were very widely dispersed throughout a long transect route at the latter site (1,850 metres).
Table 2. Details of L. noctiluca monitoring at each site
Site Total count (%) No per 100 m
One Tree Hill, Basildon* 192 37.8 19.20
Finches Nature Alea, Canewdon* 54 10.6 11.25
Manwood Chase, Abberton 50 9.8 16.67
Hadleigh Castle, Hadleigh 42 8.3 19.09
Danbury Ridge Complex, Danbury* 40 7.9 2.16
Stow Maries Halt, Stow Maries* 30 5.9 8.57
Hospital Grounds, Saffron Walden 23 4.5 10.95
Herons Paddock, Little Baddow 16 3.2 3.20
Benfleet Downs, South Benfleet* 16 3.2 3.90
Shut Heath Wood, Little Braxted* 10 2.0 10.00
Iron Latch, Eight Ash Green* 9 1.8 3.60
Bulford Mill Lane, Cressing 7 1.4 2.33
Grays Chalk Quarry, Grays* 6 1.2 6.00
Staneway, Basildon* 5 1.0 5.00
Dry Street Basildon 5 1.0 5.00
Hatfield Forest, Takeley* 2 0.4 0.09
________________________________Totals 507________100__________-________
* indicates site is a nature reserve or Country Park
Nature reserves
Transect recording was relatively evenly divided between nature reserves (including Country Parks
managed for wildlife) and non-nature reserve areas. The total length of the nature reserve transect
routes was 12,240 metres, compared with 15,880 metres for those at non-nature reserve sites.
During the survey, 364 glowing females were recorded at nature reserves, comprising approximately
72% of the total number of individuals which were observed. The highest count which occurred at
a non-nature reserve area was 27, compared with the 76 individuals that were observed at One Tree
Hill, which is a Country Park. Many other nature reserves arc unsuitable.
Habitats
The majority of the glowing females which were observed during the survey were utilising grassy
meadows and scrub (Fig. 4). These meadows were generally botanically diverse and predominantly
unimproved. L. noctiluca individuals were also recorded on garden lawns, underneath hedgerows
and in woodland areas. In the latter areas, glowing females were observed more frequently in
woodland rides than underneath dense tree canopy. Tall overgrown hedgerows, possibly of some
antiquity were utilised by glowing females in preference to lower, more managed examples.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 19 (2002)
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