Hunt for Glowworms

Did you know that our glowworms are only found in New Zealand and Australia? There are 5 species of them. Did you know that our glowworms are not really a worm, but are actually the larvae of mosquito-like flies called fungus gnats? Glowworms/Fungus Gnats are fascinating special native New Zealand insects. The Māori name for them is ‘titiwai’, which translates as, ’lights reflecting on water’. Read on to learn more about them, and then find out if there is a spot near you where you can see them at night yourself. You might find them inside damp caves, or in the bush, on banks near rivers or streams. In Taupo, we discovered lots near the Te Totara stream in Wairakei.

Just as caterpillars are the larvae of butterflies, and maggots are the larvae of flies, glowworms are the larvae of fungus gnats. Fungus gnats look like mosquitoes. They live as glowworms for about 9 months, and grow to the size of a matchstick. The light at the end of their body glows from an excretion that reacts with oxygen. They hang dozens of little sticky threads down, like fishing lines. Other insects are attracted to their light and fly into the sticky threads. The glowworm feels the vibrations and pulls the captured insect up to eat, much like a spider catching prey in its web. In the photos below, can you see the actual worm? Can you see its light glowing? Look how full of life the bank is at night! Can you spot any spiders amongst all the glowworms?

*Photo credit to our Coordinator, Rachel Thompson

The glowworm eventually wraps itself up in the sticky threads (much like a moth making a cocoon), and becomes a pupa. It stays in this stage for almost 2 weeks, before emerging as a fungus gnat. The female pupae still shine their blue light, this time to attract a male mate. When she emerges, there may be several males waiting for her!

The fungus gnat has no mouth, and cannot eat. It stays alive only long enough to mate, and for the female to lay eggs, before dying of starvation after a couple of days.

Glowworms are fascinating, and can be found all over New Zealand, in damp spots, with plentiful food sources. Look for them on banks in bush near streams, or inside damp caves. Good luck hunting!

Click HERE to download and print a pdf with more details about the glowworm life cycle.

Read and learn more about New Zealand glow worms HERE.

Kim Manunui

Hi, I’m Kim and I work with a great team to help individuals, as well as small and not so small businesses get their message, product and services to the world using digital media and creating wonderful websites that don’t cost the earth.

I was born in Canada, and grew up around Vancouver and the mountains of British Columbia. My love of pristine environments led me to New Zealand and eventually to the mountains, lakes and rivers of the central North Island which is home. My family’s heritage is here, and it’s from here that Korio traverses the planet.

The digital world is never static and neither are we.

And I say ‘we’ because I work with an awesome group of talented people who I gather together as required to complete a project.  Whatever your business, not-for-profit or individual needs are we gather the best team to get the job done.

Collaboratively we are creative, share sustainable values and work hard for great outcomes because that’s the buzz of satisfaction that drives us.

If you have an audience and market to reach, we can make that happen. Creative design, words that work and smart behind the scenes stuff that cuts through the online noise. We’ll design your website and then build it. We’ll manage the content as well as all your hosting needs. We can handle your online advertising so you get noticed,
and we’ll manage your social media presence so you get the clicks, likes and engagement to grow your business. All within the budget you set, because none of this needs to cost the earth.  And the job doesn’t stop when your website goes live. We are your virtual business partner.

https://www.korio.co.nz
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