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Unique to New Zealand is the Glowworm. Are they really worms or what are they?
To see the glowworm in action it naturally has to be dark during nighttime hours.
The New Zealand Glowworm is not a worm but an insect. It is different from other glowworms and fireflies found in different parts of the world. One of the most popular place to see the glowworms in action is at a place called “ Waitomo” which is located in the Central North Island.
As you go deep into the dark caves, your eyes slowly begin to adjust, and then to your amazement it is just like being outside on a starry night: the roof of the caves is lit so brightly by the tiny little insects.
As we approach the bottom of the cave, we reach a lake of water, our tour guide leads us into small rowing boats, and we sail into the dark water.
Our guide says that we all need to be very quiet, as these insects are affected by noise. So the silence is almost eerie.
It is so pretty as we see all the different colors of light that these insects emit.
What we found out about the glowworm truly amazed us.
The glowworm starts life with its light already switched on. They build a hammock of mucus and silk from separate glands in its mouth and attaches it to the ceiling of the cave. The hammock that they build is actually a tunnel that the larva can move to and fro in.
The glowworms' diet consists of mosquitos, stone flies, and mayflies, which are attracted to light.
To catch them the glowworm lets down a series of silken lines from its hammock. Spaced evenly down each line are some sticky little droplets of mucus, which entrap the flies.
But what about its beautiful light? Where does this light come from?
The light organ is located at the end of its excretory tubes, and part of this system acts as the reflector for the larva’s breathing system, sending the light downward.
However one amazing thing about this insect is that they can turn their light off if they want to. How do they do this?
What they do is they can restrict the oxygen or the chemicals needed to emit the light. Thus this acts as a self-defense system against predators for them.
Having lived for some six to nine months like this the larva then becomes an adult. However, adulthood in the glowworm lasts for only two to three days.
During this time as an adult the larva concentrates on reproduction. The adult male fly will fertilize the female as soon as it reaches adulthood, when they have done this, the male dies.
The females lives longer only to lay her eggs to start life all over again. The egg laying can last a whole day to lay her eggs, and then she dies too.
For such a short life span of only 6-10 months, these beautiful insects are a wonder of nature. The next time that you are in New Zealand, why not take the time to visit the caves of Waitomo, and see for yourself the wonders of the New Zealand Glowworms.
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