New Zealand Glowworm
Arachnocampa luminosa · Insect
The larva of a fungus gnat found only in New Zealand, on both islands, in caves and on damp, sheltered banks in the native bush. Growing to 3 or 4 cm, it spins a silk nest on a cave ceiling and hangs down up to 30 threads beaded with sticky droplets; its blue-green glow lures midges and other small flies into them, and it hauls them up and eats them alive. Neighbouring larvae match their glow to one another, making the display brighter, and the caves of Waitomo, Waipu and Te Ana-au draw tourists to see it. The first written record, in 1871, came from a gold mine in the Thames region.
- Danger
- Harmless
- How it is met
- In colonies, day and night
- Size
- Tiny
- In winter
- Active in winter
Where it lives
Sources
Open it in Biomes — MGS Toolbox