The glow-worm Lampyris noctiluca (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) is thought to be declining in the United Kingdom. Yet, much of the evidence for this is anecdotal, with a shortage of standardised long-term data to investigate temporal changes in abundance. A long-term transect study from Essex has produced statistical evidence of a decline (75%) in glow-worm abundance since 2001. There is a clear signal of climate warming and drying effects on glow-worm numbers and of local site changes due to a lack of active scrub management. Conservation strategies that mitigate local population losses could be an essential buffer against climate-driven declines in south-east England.

Dr Tim Gardiner is a children’s author, ecologist, editor, essayist, poet, songwriter and storyteller. His scientific papers, poetry and prose have been published all over the world.

entoLIVE is delivered by the Biological Recording Company, British Entomological & Natural History Society, Royal Entomological Society and Amateur Entomologists’ Society, with support from Buglife and the Field Studies Council.