Morning Starters: Summer 1 - Strange but True
Did You Know?
Some glow-worms ensnare flying insects with their sticky threads, which dangle from the roofs of caves. Once an insect is caught, it is reeled in and devoured. The glow-worms are the larvae of gnats, a type of insect, and their bioluminescent light lures prey into their string-like traps. The glow-worms create a mesmerising, twinkling display in the darkness.
Credit: BBC Two - Natural World
Word Challenge
bioluminescent
The prefix ‘bio-‘ comes from the Greek word ‘bios,’ meaning ‘life’ or ‘living things.’
Make a list of words that start with the prefix ‘bio-‘.
Example: biologist
Grammar Challenge
Write a sentence about glow-worms twinkling in a cave that includes a metaphor.
Example: The glow-worms are jewels in a dark crown.
Number Challenge
There were 520 flying insects in a cave. 40% of the insects were caught on the glow-worms’ sticky threads.
How many flying insects did not get caught?
Critical Thinking
Do you think an insect caught on a glow-worm’s sticky thread feels frightened? Why? Why not?