Arachnocampa facts for kids
Arachnocampa are a special group of flies found in Australia and New Zealand. You might also hear them called Fungus gnats. What makes them really cool is that their young, called larvae, are famous for being glowworms. These amazing creatures light up dark places like caves and forests.
What's in a Name?
For a long time, these flies were known as Bolitphila. This name meant mushroom-lovers. People thought they mostly ate mushrooms. But then, in 1924, scientists made an exciting discovery. They found out that the larvae of these flies use silk threads to catch their food. Because of this, their name was changed to Arachnocampa. This new name means spider-grub, which makes sense because they use silk threads just like spiders!
How Do Glowworms Glow?
The larvae of Arachnocampa are famous for their glowing light. This light is made by a special chemical reaction inside their bodies. It's called bioluminescence. They glow to attract tiny flying insects. Imagine a tiny, living light bulb in the dark!
Hunting with Light and Silk
These glowworm larvae are clever hunters. They hang sticky silk threads from the ceilings of caves or damp overhangs. Each thread is covered in tiny, sticky drops, like a string of beads. The glowworm then turns on its light. Other small insects, like mosquitoes, are attracted to the glow. They fly towards the light and get stuck on the sticky threads. Once an insect is caught, the glowworm pulls in the thread and eats its meal. It's a very effective way to catch food in the dark!
Where Do They Live?
Arachnocampa glowworms prefer dark, damp places. You can often find them in caves, old mines, or sheltered parts of forests. They need a lot of moisture to survive. The most famous glowworm caves are in New Zealand, where thousands of them can create a spectacular starry sky effect.
