dismalite

plural dismalites · alternative Dismalite

1. The carnivorous larva of the gnat Orfelia fultoni, which emits bright, blue light via bioluminescence.

   A very rare animal, the dismalite, lives in Alabama. Dismalites are wormes that glow in the dark

   2011, Janice Parker, Alabama: The Heart of Dixie, New York: AV2 by Weigl, page 19

   3 more examples

   Although the creatures known locally as Dismalites are "close cousins" of rare glowworms found in Australia and New Zealand, they are actually fly larvae related to fungus gnats, said Auburn University entomologist Gary Mullen, who has studied the insects.

   2010, Kelly Kazek, Forgotten Tales of Alabama (ebook), Arcadia Publishing Incorporated, unnumbered page

   Once the prey has been thoroughly stuck, the victorious dismalite gloatingly crawls out to further torment its helpless captive. Springing like a self-styled cobra, the tiny larva will strike from time to time.

   2012, Richard Faulk, Gross America: Your Coast-to-Coast Guide to All Things Gross (ebook), Penguin Publishing Group, page 145

   A small insect called a Dismalite or Fungus Gnat has a larval stage that lives on moist rock walls and produces light. These so-called glowworms display a bright blue-green light that attracts prey such as midges, mayflies, and caddisflies.

   2019, William G. Deutsch, Alabama Rivers: A Celebration & Challenge, MindBridge Press, unnumbered page