Nature · 2
The bioluminescent glowworms famous for illuminating New Zealand's caves are actually the larval stage of which type of insect?
Answer
Fungus gnat
Despite the name, New Zealand's cave 'glowworms' are not worms but the larvae of Arachnocampa luminosa, a species of fungus gnat that uses light to lure prey into its silk snares.
💡 Did you know?
Glowworms in New Zealand caves produce sticky silk threads that dangle like fishing lines, luring insects to their glow—then eating them mid-flight.
Other options people guess
- Firefly
- Click beetle
- Railroad worm
Topics
- glowworms
- bioluminescence
- insects
- new-zealand
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