Volunteers sought to help survey glow worms in Cumbria
Volunteers are being sought to help survey for glow worms at a country estate. They will spend 10 weeks looking for the insects, which are beetles that use bioluminescence to attract mates, across the Lowther Estate near Penrith, Cumbria. The volunteers will be trained by experts from Manchester Museum to try and find glow worms, which are believed to be declining in numbers.The insects are "voracious" predators of snail and slug populations, Lowther Conservation ecologist Elizabeth Ogilvie said.
"[They help] maintain balance in our landscapes," she said. "They also contribute to soil health by cycling nutrients back into the ecosystem."Ms Ogilvie said their glowing signals which are vital for mating are often drowned out by artificial lights and their numbers appear to be declining across the country.
The survey, which will be conducted in the evenings, will help scientists determine whether glow worms are present on the estate, assistant curator from Manchester Museum, part of The University of Manchester, Bethany Dean said.This may provide an opportunity for long term monitoring on the site, she added.Ms Ogilvie said no experience was necessary to volunteer – simply an "eagerness to help on summer evenings".
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