The beetles seem to be most active at night, while they hide in grass, mulches and leaf litter and under logs and dead bark during the day. The adult female glowworm is tan, wingless, flat and elongated. During the day, it can easily be mistaken for a dried fir needle or grass clipping. Two specimens collected in Alamogordo were about five-eighths of an inch long, but some of the larger species can exceed an inch in length as adults. Male glowworms are small, winged beetles.
Glowworms are part of the few native insects to the area that light up.
Entomologists like Sutherland have been trying to collect the insects for their records. To help, amateur collectors should look at night in grassy or weedy areas. Once glowworms have been spotted, collectors just have to pick them up, Sutherland said. Live specimens are preferred. Once caught, the insects should be put in a small container with a piece of paper towel that has a drop of water on it.