Railroad worm
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A railroad worm is a larva or larviform female adult of a beetle of the genus Phrixothrix in the family Phengodidae, characterized by the possession of two different colors of bioluminescence.<ref name=Branham>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It has the appearance of a caterpillar. The eleven pairs of luminescent organs on their second thoracic segment through their ninth abdominal segment can glow yellowish-green, while the pair on their head can glow red;<ref name=Branham /> this is due to different luciferases in their bodies, as the reaction substrate, called luciferin, is the same.<ref name="BevilaquaMatsuhashi2019">Template:Cite journal</ref>
The "railroad worm" name arises because these glowing spots along the body resemble the windows of train cars internally illuminated in the night.<ref name=Branham /> The light emissions are believed to be a warning signal to nocturnal predators of their unpalatability or a defense function as they can suddenly be turned on, spooking predators with a sudden flash. When handled, the larva may eject a possibly distasteful and corrosive reddish liquid.<ref name=Branham />
The term "railroad worm" is also sometimes applied to the apple maggot.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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