Arachnocampa is a genus of four fungus gnat species which are, in their larval stage, glowworms. They are found in New Zealand and Australia in caves and grottos, or sheltered places in forests. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 783 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1704 × 1305 pixel, file size: 1. ... For other uses, see Scientific classification (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... Subphyla and Classes Subphylum Trilobitomorpha Trilobita - trilobites (extinct) Subphylum Chelicerata Arachnida - spiders,scorpions, etc. ... Orders Subclass Apterygota Archaeognatha (bristletails) Thysanura (silverfish) Subclass Pterygota Infraclass Paleoptera (Probably paraphyletic) Ephemeroptera (mayflies) Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) Infraclass Neoptera Superorder Exopterygota Grylloblattodea (ice-crawlers) Mantophasmatodea (gladiators) Plecoptera (stoneflies) Embioptera (webspinners) Zoraptera (angel insects) Dermaptera (earwigs) Orthoptera (grasshoppers, etc) Phasmatodea (stick insects) Blattodea (cockroaches) Isoptera (termites) Mantodea (mantids) Psocoptera... Suborders Nematocera (includes Eudiptera) Brachycera Diptera (di - two, ptera - wings), or true flies, is the order of insects possessing only a single pair of wings on the mesothorax; the metathorax bears a pair of drumstick like structures called the halteres, the remnants of the hind wings. ... Infraorders Axymyiomorpha Culicomorpha Blephariceromorpha Bibionomorpha Psychodomorpha Ptychopteromorpha Tipulomorpha Nematocera are generally primitive flies, typically recognized by filamentous, multi-segmented antennae which may be plumose in some males. ... Superfamilies    Anisopodidae¤    Bibionidae¤    Bolitophilidae¤    Cecidomyiidae¤    Diadocidiidae¤    Ditomyiidae¤    Hesperinidae¤    Keroplatidae¤    Lygistorrhinidae¤    Mycetophilidae¤    Pachyneuridae¤    Perissommatidae¤    Scatopsidae¤    Sciaridae¤    Keroplatidae Bibionomorpha is a infraorder of Eudiptera. ... Genera About 150 see list of mycetophilid/keroplatid genera Mycetophilidae is a family of very small flies, forming the bulk of those species known as fungus gnats. ... Fungus gnats are small, dark, short-lived flies, of the families Sciaridae and Mycetophilidae (order Diptera), whose larvae feed on plant roots or fungi and aid in the decomposition of organic matter. ... A larva (Latin; plural larvae) is a juvenile form of animal with indirect development, undergoing metamorphosis (for example, insects or amphibians). ... Photo of a glowworm on a stick. ...

The genus was called Bolitiphila, meaning mushroom lover, in the past. The name was changed in 1924 to Arachnocampa, meaning spider-grub, for the way the larvae hang silk threads to trap prey. The genus Arachnocampa belongs in the family Mycetophilidae. For other uses, see Mushroom (disambiguation). ... Year 1924 (MCMXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Diversity 111 families, 40,000 species Suborders Mesothelae Mygalomorphae Araneomorphae  See table of families Wikispecies has information related to: Spiders Spiders are predatory invertebrate animals that have two body segments, eight legs, no chewing mouth parts and no wings. ... A larval insect A larva (Latin; plural larvae) is a juvenile form of animal with indirect development, undergoing metamorphosis (for example, insects or amphibians). ... Genera About 150 see list of mycetophilid/keroplatid genera Mycetophilidae is a family of very small flies, forming the bulk of those species known as fungus gnats. ...

Common features

Arachnocampa species go through a life cycle of eggs hatching to larvae then pupating to an adult fly. They spend most of their life as larvae. A larval insect A larva (Latin; plural larvae) is a juvenile form of animal with indirect development, undergoing metamorphosis (for example, insects or amphibians). ...

The larval stage lasts about 6 to 12 months, depending on food. The larva emerges from the egg only about 3 to 5 millimetres long, and through its life grows to about 3 centimetres.

The larva spins a nest out of silk on the ceiling of the cave and then hangs down as many as 70 threads of silk (called snares) from around the nest, each up to 30 or 40 cm long and holding droplets of mucus. The larvae can only live in a place out of the wind, to stop their lines being tangled, hence caves, overhangs or deep rainforest.

The larva glows to attract prey into its threads. A hungry larva glows brighter than one which has just eaten.^{[citation needed]} Prey include midges, mayflies, caddis flies, mosquitos, moths, or even small snails or millipedes. When prey is caught by a line the larva pulls it up (at up to about 2 millimetres a second) and feeds. If prey is scarce the larvae will turn to cannibalism, eating other larvae, pupae or adult flies. Midges on a car Midges are small, two-winged flying insects. ... Suborders Suborder Schistonota  Superfamily Baetoidea    Siphlonuridae    Baetidae    Oniscigastridae    Ameletopsidae    Ametropodidae  Superfamily Heptagenioidea    Coloburiscidae    Oligoneuriidae    Isonychiidae    Heptageniidae  Superfamily Leptophlebioidea    Leptophlebiidae  Superfamily Ephemeroidea    Behningiidae    Potamanthidae    Euthyplociidae    Polymitarcydae    Ephemeridae    Palingeniidae Suborder Pannota  Superfamily Ephemerelloidea    Ephemerellidae    Leptohyphidae    Tricorythidae  Superfamily Caenoidea    Neoephemeridae    Baetiscidae    Caenidae    Prosopistomatidae The mayflies belong to the order Ephemeroptera (meaning but for... Insects of the order Trichoptera. ... For other uses, see Mosquito (disambiguation). ... A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly. ... This article is about the animal. ... For other uses, see Millipede (disambiguation). ... “Cannibal” redirects here. ...

The glow is the result of a chemical reaction that involves luciferin, a waste product; luciferase, the enzyme that acts upon luciferin; adenosine triphosphate, the energy molecule; and oxygen. It occurs in modified excretory organs known as Malpighian tubules in the abdomen.^[1] Luciferin is a generic name for light-emitting pigments found in organisms capable of bioluminescence, like fireflies, deep-sea fish and microbes. ... Luciferase is a generic name for enzymes commonly used in nature for bioluminescence. ... Adenosine 5-triphosphate (ATP) is a multifunctional nucleotide that is most important as a molecular currency of intracellular energy transfer. ... General Name, symbol, number oxygen, O, 8 Chemical series nonmetals, chalcogens Group, period, block 16, 2, p Appearance colorless (gas) very pale blue (liquid) Standard atomic weight 15. ... Stylised diagram of insect digestive tract showing malpighian tubule (Orthopteran type) The Malpighian tubule system is a type of excretory and osmoregulatory system found in some Uniramia (insects and Myriapoda) and arachnids. ...

The body of the larva is soft while the head capsule is hard. When it outgrows the head capsule it moults, shedding its skin. This happens four times through its life. Ecdysis is the molting of the cuticula in arthropods and related groups (Ecdysozoa). ...

At the end of the larva stage it becomes a pupa, hanging down from the roof of the cave. The pupa stage lasts about 1 or 2 weeks and it glows intermittently. The male stops glowing a few days before emerging, the female's glow increases. The glow from the female is believed to be to attract a mate, and males may be waiting there when she emerges. Cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha) pupa Chrysalis redirects here: for other meanings see Chrysalis (disambiguation). ...

The adults (of both sexes) cannot feed and live only a short time. They glow, but only intermittently. Their sole purpose is to mate, and for the female to lay eggs. Adult insects are poor fliers and so will often remain in the same area, building a colony of glowworms. The female lays a total of about 130 eggs, in clumps of 40 or 50, and dies soon after laying. The eggs hatch after about 20 days and the cycle repeats.

The larvae are sensitive to light and disturbance and will retreat into their nests and stop glowing if they or their snares are touched. Generally they have few predators. Their greatest danger is from human interference.

Species

• Arachnocampa luminosa is found in New Zealand, on both the North and South islands. Its Māori name is titiwai, meaning "projected over water". The Waitomo Caves on the North Island near Pirongia is one well-known habitat. It was first known to science in 1871 when collected from a gold mine in the Thames region. At first it was thought to be related to the European glowworm beetle, but in 1886 a Christchurch teacher showed it was a larvae of a gnat, not a beetle. The species was called Bolitiphila luminosa in 1891, before renamed Arachnocampa in 1924. The harvestman spider preys on the luminosa eggs, larvae and pupae, and even the adult flies. Small orange harvestman spiders live in the same caves as the luminosa, larger spiders will come into the caves for food and shelter. A fungus also affects the luminosa, it gradually kills the larva. Fungus spores are spread by air movement, but since the larvae live out of the wind the spread of spores is limited. The Arachnocampa luminosa species is also found in a small number of places outside New Zealand. In the United States, Dismals Canyon is one such habitat.^{[citation needed]}

• Arachnocampa richardsae is found in New South Wales. The Newnes Glow Worm Tunnel in the Blue Mountains is one well-known habitat.

• Arachnocampa tasmaniensis is found in Tasmania (as the name suggests). One habitat is the Marakoopa Cave, Mole Creek near Cradle Mountain.

• Arachnocampa flava is found in Queensland. The Natural Bridge in the Gold Coast hinterland is one well-known habitat.

• Arachnocampa Sp.Mt Buffalo. A colony of Arachnocampa has been found in an alpine cave on Mt Buffalo in Victoria. Early research suggests it is a new species, but related to the tasmaniensis and the New Zealand luminosa. Its presence suggests rainforest may have extended up the mountain in the past.^[2] The Victorian Government presently has it listed (called the Mt Buffalo Glow-Worm) as a threatened species.^[3]

North Island The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, the other being the South Island. ... The South Island The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. ... This article is about the Māori people of New Zealand. ... The Waitomo Caves are located in the southern Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand, 20 kilometres northwest of Te Kuiti. ... Pirongia is a small town in the Waikato region of New Zealands North Island. ... 1871 (MDCCCLXXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Gold mining consists of the processes and techniques employed in the removal of gold from the ground. ... Location of Thames Thames is a town at the southwestern end of the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealands North Island. ... Year 1886 (MDCCCLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Christchurch (Māori: ) is the regional capital of Canterbury, New Zealand. ... The term gnat is applied as a colloquial name to any of various small insects in the order Diptera and specifically within the suborder Nematocera. ... Year 1891 (MDCCCXCI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1924 (MCMXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Phalangids or Opiliones (better known as harvestmen or daddy longlegs) are eight-legged invertebrate animals belonging to the order Opiliones in the class Arachnida, in the subphylum Chelicerata of the phylum Arthropoda. ... Subkingdom/Phyla Chytridiomycota Blastocladiomycota Neocallimastigomycota Glomeromycota Zygomycota Dikarya (inc. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Dismals Canyon is a sandstone gorge in Franklin County, Alabama. ... “NSW” redirects here. ... Newnes Glow Worm Tunnel is located in the Wolgan Valley which is part of the Wolemi National Park. ... A panoramic view of the Blue Mountains The Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia, are situated approximately 100 kilometres west of Sydney. ... Slogan or Nickname: The Apple Isle; Holiday Isle Motto(s): Ubertas et Fidelitas (Fertility and Faithfulness) Other Australian states and territories Capital Hobart Government Constitutional monarchy Governor William Cox Premier Paul Lennon (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 5  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $16,114... Mole Creek is a town in Meander Valley, Tasmania. ... Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain, Central Tasmanian Highlands Cradle Mountain forms the northern end of the wild Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, itself a part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. ... Slogan or Nickname: Sunshine State, Smart State Motto(s): Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Anna Bligh (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd... Springbrook is a national park in Queensland, (Australia), 78 km south of Brisbane. ... “Gold Coast” redirects here. ... Mount Buffalo is a mountain plateau in Victoria (Australia), 200 km northeast of Melbourne. ... “VIC” redirects here. ... The Daintree Rainforest in Queensland, Australia. ... The form of the Government of Victoria is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1855, although it has been amended many times since then. ...

References

1. ^ Green, L.B.S. (1979) The fine structure of the light organ of the New Zealand glow-worm Arachnocampa luminosa (Diptera: Mycetophilidae). Tissue and Cell 11: 457-465.
2. ^ The Lure of Glow Worms, science feature at the Australian Broadcasting Commission
3. ^ Threatened List April 2006, at the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment

• The New Zealand Glowworm by V.B. Meyer-Rochow, 1990, Published by Waitomo Caves Museum Society. 60 pages (ISBN 0-908683-09) [The book can be obtained from: Waitomo Caves Museum, P.O.Box 12, WAITOMO CAVES, NEW ZEALAND]
• The Glow-Worm, Ormiston Walker and Judy Kerdel, MacMillan New Zealand, 1990, ISBN 0-7329-0121-9. (A children's book.)
• Glowworm article, Encyclopædia Britannica, 15th edition

The ABC or Australian Broadcasting Corporation is the national, Australia. ... The Encyclopædia Britannica is a general English-language encyclopaedia published by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. ...

External links

• Soil Bugs - An illustrated guide to the New Zealand invertebrates
• The Glowworm Lifecycle
• Glowworm article in the Encyclopaedia of New Zealand 1966
• Glowworms page