Glow worms at Nichols Creek
Light is generated by a chemical reaction in the Malpighian tubules of the New Zealand glowworm or titiwai (Arachnocampa luminosa). The snares are mucus droplets on silk threads.
Arachnocampa luminosaDunedinLeith ValleyMalpighian tubulesNew ZealandNew Zealand glowwormNichols CreekNichols Falls Trackbioluminescent organfungus gnatglow wormglowwormglowwormslarvamucusmucus dropletsilk threadsnaretitiwaiGlowworms032
The New Zealand glowworm is the larva of a fungus gnat (Arachnocampa luminosa). It lives in a silk and mucus case suspended off silk threads. The snares are also mucus droplets on silk strands. From left to right you can see the body of the larva, the intestines, and the bioluminescnt organ (Maplighian tubules).
arachnocampa luminosadunedinleith valleymalpighian tubulesnew zealandnew zealand glowwormnichols creeknichols falls trackbioluminescent organcasefungus gnatglow wormglowwormglowwormsintestineslarvamucusmucus dropletnestsilk threadsnaretitiwaiglowworms020
The intestines and Malpighian tubules of a glowworm (Arachnocampa luminosa)
arachnocampa luminosadunedinleith valleymalpighian tubulesnew zealandnew zealand glowwormnichols creeknichols falls trackbioluminescent organcasefungus gnatglow wormglowwormglowwormsintestineslarvamucusmucus dropletnestsilk threadsnaretitiwaiglowworms020
This sequence of 3 images shows a glowworm retreating into its nest
Arachnocampa luminosaDunedinLeith ValleyMalpighian tubulesNew ZealandNew Zealand glowwormNichols CreekNichols Falls Trackbioluminescent organcasefungus gnatglow wormglowwormglowwormsintestineslarvamucusmucus dropletnestsilk threadsnaretitiwaiGlowworms034
The full body of a glowworm or titiwai (Arachnocampa luminosa)
Arachnocampa luminosaDunedinLeith ValleyMalpighian tubulesNew ZealandNew Zealand glowwormNichols CreekNichols Falls Trackbioluminescent organcasefungus gnatglow wormglowwormglowwormsintestineslarvamucusmucus dropletnestsilk threadsnaretitiwaiGlowworms086
The glowworm lays yet another snare - straight out of its mouth
Arachnocampa luminosaDunedinLeith ValleyMalpighian tubulesNew ZealandNew Zealand glowwormNichols CreekNichols Falls Trackbioluminescent organcasefungus gnatglow wormglowwormglowwormsintestineslarvamucusmucus dropletnestsilk threadsnaretitiwaiGlowworms095
Kyra Xavia
on September 21, 2016Thank you! Your images are wonderful.