Glow Worms - video powered by Metacafe
Glow worms are the larval stage in the life of an insect called the fungus gnat. Although they are most spectacular in caves, glow worms are also quite common outside - they can be found wherever conditions are damp, food is in good supply and there is an overhanging wall. The scientific name of the New Zealand species is Arachnocampa luminosa. Similar glow worms can be found in the south-east of Australia.
The New Zealand glow worm is one of many creatures that naturally produce light (bioluminescence). The light is the result of a chemical reaction that involves several components: LUCIFERIN, a waste product; LUCIFERASE, the enzyme that acts upon luciferin; ATP, adenosine triphosphate, the energy molecule; and oxygen. These combined form an electronically excited product capable of emitting a blue-green light.
The light is used to attract insects, brought into the cave in the rivers, which the glow worm catches and eats. If a glow worm is hungry its light will shine a little brighter and is even more effective. When the female glow worm reaches the adult stage the light is used to attract males for mating.
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