The Lost Gardens of Heligan have welcomed some new and very rare additions this week.

Already home to a vast array of wildlife, Heligan has now introduced 50 glow worms across Bugginghum Palace Bug Hotel.

Heligan's wildlife team has partnered with Keep it Wild and Derek Gow Consultancy to launch a project that will enhance the existing glow worm population and expand their habitat within the estate.

Glow worms are The Lost Garden of Heligan's newest residents (this picture shows a glow worm in the wild, not at Heligan) Glow worms are The Lost Garden of Heligan's newest residents (this picture shows a glow worm in the wild, not at Heligan) (Image: George Turner)

With an increase in light pollution, climate change and a loss of habitat, the UK’s glow-worm population sadly continues to decline.

Glow-worm larvae like to feed on damp-loving snails but, with increasingly hot and dry summers, this has led to less prey.

 The combination of these factors has resulted in glow-worm numbers plummeting by 75 per cent in just 18 years in England.

This introduction forms part of a national reintroduction plan which hopes to see a steady increase in numbers.

Toby Davies (TLGOH) and George Turner (Keep It Wild)Toby Davies (TLGOH) and George Turner (Keep It Wild) (Image: George Turner)

Nick Viney from Keep It Wild said: “You never forget spotting your first glow-worm, we want to share this magical experience with as many people as possible”.

Visitors to The Lost Gardens of Heligan may be lucky enough to see these glow worms in rough grass areas within the garden along the edge of the ancient woodlands and Cornish hedgerows. 

Toby Davies, Wildlife Coordinator at The Lost Gardens of Heligan said: “With glow-worms on the decline across the country, it’s more important than ever to protect this special species. And I hope that other estates will follow suit to us in releasing the glow worms of the future”

Here are some interesting facts about glow worms 

Glow worms only feed on snails

Glow worms are not worms at all; they are beetles.

Male glow worms can fly when fully grown

Males, females, pupae and larvae can all glow but only females do so, so brightly to attract a mate.

Pupae glow when disturbed, and males and larvae glow when disturbed