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Arachnocampa luminosa is found in New Zealand, in both the North and South islands. Its Māori name is titiwai, meaning "projected over water". The Waitomo Caves in the North Island near Pirongia is one well-known habitat, the caves having become a popular tourist attraction. It was first known to science in 1871 when collected from a gold mine in the Thames region. At first it was thought to be related to the European glowworm beetle, but in 1886 a Christchurch teacher showed it was a larva of a gnat, not a beetle. The species was called Bolitiphila luminosa in 1891, before being renamed Arachnocampa in 1924. A species of harvestman preys on the A. luminosa eggs, larvae and pupae, and even the adult flies. A fungus also affects A. luminosa; it gradually kills the larva. Fungus spores are spread by air movement, but since the larvae live out of the wind the spread of spores is limited. Arachnocampa luminosa is found only in New Zealand.
Glow-worms need damp places, where the air is humid and still, to construct their snares. Caves and old mining tunnels are ideal. In the forest glow-worm snares are commonest on moist banks beside a stream or in a ravine.
Small midges are the usual prey of glow-worms, but all sorts of flying insects get trapped in the sticky snares, including mayflies, caddisflies and moths. Forest glow-worms may also trap spiders, plant hoppers and even millipedes. The glow-worm simply cuts free any prey that is too large, or unwanted.
Adult glow-worm flies are never caught in the snares – they are not attracted to the light, and even if they brush against the sticky threads they are strong enough to pull free.
Glow-worms are the larvae of the fungus gnat, whose life cycle has four stages:
The glow-worm’s tail-light shines from an organ which is the equivalent of a human kidney. All insects have this organ but the glow-worm has a unique ability to produce a blue-green light from it.
The chemical reaction that produces the light consumes a lot of oxygen. An airbag surrounds the light organ, providing it with oxygen and acting as a silvery reflector to concentrate the light.
A fungus gnat can glow at all stages of its life cycle (except as an egg), but the larva has the brightest light.
In caves the insects light up at any time of the day or night. Outdoor glow-worms start glowing shortly after dark and usually shine all night. Sometimes when a glow-worm is disturbed its light seems to go off suddenly. This is the larva slithering into a crevice, hiding its light. It actually takes several minutes for the larva to shut off the light.
Glow-worm predators include the long-legged harvestman, a close relative of spiders. This hunter can move skilfully through the sticky snares in search of glow-worm larvae. There is also some cannibalism in dense glow-worm populations during territorial disputes.
Up to 40% of glow-worm pupae in caves are killed by a white fungus that envelops their body.
To catch small flying insects, the glow-worm sets up a snare of sticky silk threads. Flying insects see the glow-worm’s light in the dark and fly towards it, because it resembles moonlight shining through the trees. Instead of finding freedom, they become trapped on the sticky threads. Their struggles alert the glow-worm, which pulls in the thread with its mouth. The prey is then killed and eaten.
Glow-worm lines vary greatly in number and length, depending on the size of the larva and where it is living. Forest-dwelling glow-worms hang lines that are only 1–2 centimetres long, because they could get tangled in a breeze. In the still air of caves, lines can reach up to half a metre.
Each line is made of silk with droplets of sticky mucus – like beads on a string. The larva spends much of its time making and repairing the lines. Because of the flexible nature of its tube, the larva can push its head out to grab a line, ingesting it for re-use later.
A worm can make 15–25 lines a night, and will spend about 15 minutes producing each one. The first droplet of mucus is the biggest, then a short length of silk is added, followed by another droplet, then another length of silk. A large glow-worm that is nearly mature may have as many as 70 lines.
Arachnocampa luminosa je dvoukřídlý hmyz z čeledě Sciaridae. Tento druh se endemiticky vyskytuje na Novém Zélandě. Larvy i dospělci produkují světlo (jsou Bioluminiscenční). Žijí v jeskyních či v temných lesích.
Druh byl objeven roku 1871 a vědci ho považovali za příbuzného světlušek, v roce 1886 bylo zjištěno, že to není brouk, ale dvoukřídlý příbuzný komárů. Oficiálně byl popsán roku 1890.
Životní cyklus začíná Vajíčkem, ze kterého se vylíhne larva, která se poté zakuklí a stane se z ní dospělý hmyz. Většinu života tráví v larválním stádiu a to 6-12 měsíců, v závislosti na dostupnosti potravy. Když larva vyleze z vejce je 3-5 mm dlouhá, ale v průběhu larválního stádia vyroste do velikosti zhruba 3 cm. Tělo larvy je měkké, ale hlava je pevná. Když se z larvy stane kukla, tak visí dolů ze střechy jeskyně na hedvábném vlákně, které sama vytvoří. Období kukly trvá 1-2 týdny. Jediným účelem dospělého jedince je rozmnožování, dospělý jedinec nepřijímá potravu a žije jen několik dní. Partnera si samci i samice hledají pomocí luminiscence. Jsou to špatní letci a většinou zůstávají ve stejné jeskyni. Samice naklade vajíčka, ze kterých se o zhruba 20 dnů později líhnou larvy a celý cyklus se opakuje.
Larva má na stropě hnízdo z hedvábí, které má zhruba 70 hedvábných vláken 30-40 cm dlouhých. U lesních jedinců jsou vlákna mnohem kratší, maximálně 5 cm. Světlo vydávané larvou má přilákat kořist. V noci to v jeskyni vypadá, jako kdyby nahoře svítily hvězdy. Mezi kořist Arachnocampy luminosy patří jepice, chrostíci, mouchy, motýli a dokonce i malí plži a mnohonožky. Kořist se do hedvábných vláken chytí a larva ji poté sní. Když jsou populace velké, může nastat i kanibalismus. Vydávání světla je výsledkem chemické reakce luciferinu a enzymu luciferáza. Díky výskytu v jeskyních má Arachnocampa luminosa málo predátorů, ale loví ji sekáči a nebezpečí pro ni představují parazitické plísně. Největší nebezpečí však představuje ničení přirozeného prostředí ze strany lidí.
Galerie Arachnocampa luminosa ve Wikimedia Commons Obrázky, zvuky či videa k tématu Arachnocampa luminosa ve Wikimedia Commons
Tento článek potřebuje úpravy. Můžete Wikipedii pomoci tím, že ho vylepšíte. Jak by měly články vypadat, popisují stránky Vzhled a styl, Encyklopedický styl a Odkazy. Tento článek není dostatečně ozdrojován a může tedy obsahovat informace, které je třeba ověřit.Tento článek potřebuje důkladnou jazykovou korekturu. Můžete Wikipedii pomoci tím, že ho vhodně vylepšíte. Inspiraci k vylepšení můžete hledat v radách na stránce Pravopisné rady, případně na diskusní stránce článku. Arachnocampa luminosa je dvoukřídlý hmyz z čeledě Sciaridae. Tento druh se endemiticky vyskytuje na Novém Zélandě. Larvy i dospělci produkují světlo (jsou Bioluminiscenční). Žijí v jeskyních či v temných lesích.
Arachnocampa luminosa (Maori Titiwai, englisch Glowworm) ist eine Art der Langhornmücken (Keroplatidae), die in Neuseeland endemisch ist. Sowohl die Larven als auch die Imagines sind biolumineszent; hierauf bezieht sich auch der wissenschaftliche Artname.
Die Art kommt in feuchten Höhlen, Grotten, in Erdspalten, an Abhängen, unter Baumwurzeln, überhängenden Felsen und windstillen, feuchten Plätzen im Wald vor.[1]
Arachnocampa luminosa kommt sowohl auf der Nordinsel als auch auf der Südinsel Neuseelands vor. Die Art ist verbreitet, aber durch Verlust des Lebensraumes durch Landwirtschaft und Abholzung in isolierte Populationen geteilt.
Bekannte Kolonien sind:
Der Glowworm verbringt die größte Zeit seines Lebens im Larvenstadium. Das Larvenstadium dauert je nach verfügbarer Nahrung 6 bis 12 Monate. Die Larve schlüpft etwa 3–5 mm lang aus dem Ei und wächst bis auf etwa 30 mm Länge heran. Der Körper der Larve ist weich, die Kopfkapsel hart. Jeweils wenn die Kopfkapsel zu klein wird, häutet sich die Larve mehrfach in ihrer Lebenszeit.
Schließlich verpuppt sich die Larve. Die Puppe hängt an einem kurzen Seidenfaden von der Decke. Das Puppenstadium dauert 1–2 Wochen[1] und leuchtet gelegentlich. Wenige Tage vor dem Schlupf hören die männlichen Puppen nahezu auf zu leuchten, die weiblichen verstärken ihr Leuchten. Möglicherweise locken die Weibchen damit Männchen an, so dass diese vor Ort sind, wenn die Weibchen schlüpfen.
Die Imagines fressen nicht und leben nur wenige Tage. Männchen und Weibchen leuchten, jedoch nicht so hell wie die Larven. Einzige Aufgabe der Mücken ist die Vermehrung. Sie sind schlechte Flieger und bleiben oft in der Nähe des Schlupfortes, so dass Kolonien entstehen. Das Weibchen legt etwa 130 Eier in Klumpen von 40 oder 50 und stirbt bald nach der Eiablage. Die Larven schlüpfen nach etwa 20 Tagen.
Die Larve spinnt ein Seidennest an der Höhlendecke und lässt bis zu 70 mit Schleimtropfen versehene, bis 40 cm lange Seidenfäden herabhängen. Die durch im Wald lebende Exemplare gebauten Fangfäden sind viel kürzer und erreichen nur etwa 5 cm Länge, da sie sich sonst im Wind ineinander verfangen.
Die Larven leuchten, um Beute in ihre Fangfäden zu locken. Möglicherweise täuscht eine Kolonie von Larven an der Höhlendecke der Beute einen Sternenhimmel vor. Hungrige Larven leuchten heller als solche, die gerade gefressen haben. Sie fangen Sandfliegen, Eintagsfliegen, Köcherfliegen, Stechmücken, Schmetterlinge, sogar kleine Schnecken und Tausendfüßer. Wenn sich eine Beute in einem Fangfaden verfangen hat, wird sie heraufgezogen, indem die Larve den Faden und schließlich die Beute frisst. Kannibalismus tritt bei hoher Populationsdichte auf, oder wenn sich erwachsene Mücken in den Fangfäden verfangen.
Das Leuchten ist Ergebnis einer chemischen Reaktion zwischen Luciferin, dem Enzym Luciferase, Adenosintriphosphat als Energieträger und Sauerstoff. Sie findet in den Malpighischen Gefäßen im Abdomen statt.[4]
Die Larven reagieren auf Licht oder Berührung der Fangfäden oder ihres Körpers, indem sie sich in ihr "Nest" (ihre Retraite) zurückziehen und aufhören zu leuchten. Generell haben sie wenig Fressfeinde. Die Larven werden in einigen Höhlen von einer Art von Weberknechten gefressen. Ein Pilz befällt die Larven und tötet sie. Die Pilzsporen verteilen sich über die Luftbewegung. Da die Larven aber an windstillen Orten leben, begrenzt dies die Ausbreitung. Die größte Bedrohung ist die Zerstörung des Lebensraumes durch menschliche Einflüsse.
Die Art wurde 1871 in einer Goldmine in der Region um Thames (Neuseeland) zuerst gesammelt. Der Arzt und Priester Arthur Guyon Purchas beschrieb sie als einen Verwandten des europäischen Glühwürmchens, eines Käfers. Der russische Diplomat und Entomologe Carl Robert Osten-Sacken erkannte dann 1886, dass es sich um die Larve einer Mücke, nicht um einen Käfer handelte. Die Art wurde 1891 von Frederick Skuse, einem in Australien arbeitenden Entomologen, als Bolitophila luminosa erstbeschrieben. Der britische Entomologe Frederick Wallace Edwards stellte 1924 dann die Gattung Arachnocampa, mit Arachnocampa luminosa als Typusart, neu auf. Der Namensbestandteil Arachno- bezieht sich auf die Webspinnen (von griech. Arachne), nach den klebrigen Fangfäden der Larven, die wie Spinnennetze wirken. Traditionell wurde sie in die Familie Mycetophilidae einbezogen. Schon 1981 erhob der französische Forscher Loïc Matile die bisherige Unterfamilie Keroplatinae der Mycetophilidae zur neuen Familie Keroplatidae; dies hat sich in der Forschung letztlich durchgesetzt.
Die Keroplatidae umfassen knapp 1000 Arten (Stand: 2006) und sind weltweit verbreitet.[5] Biolumineszenz ist von etwa zehn Arten bekannt geworden, darunter mit Keroplatus testaceus bei einer Art aus dem Vogelsberg (Hessen).[6] A. luminosa ist die bekannteste davon. Die Gattung Arachnocampa umfasst insgesamt neun Arten[7], die alle außer A. luminosa in Australien verbreitet sind. Es gibt auch bisher unbestätigte Angaben von Neuguinea und Neukaledonien. Auch Arachnocampa tasmaniensis ist in der Exit Cave und der Mystery Creek Cave in Tasmanien eine Touristenattraktion.
Arachnocampa luminosa ist Schwesterart der übrigen Arten der Gattung zusammengenommen, sie wird als einzige Art in die (damit monotypische) Untergattung Arachnocampa sensu stricto gestellt.
Arachnocampa luminosa (Maori Titiwai, englisch Glowworm) ist eine Art der Langhornmücken (Keroplatidae), die in Neuseeland endemisch ist. Sowohl die Larven als auch die Imagines sind biolumineszent; hierauf bezieht sich auch der wissenschaftliche Artname.
Arachnocampa luminosa (Skuse, 1891), commonly known as New Zealand glowworm or simply glowworm, is a species of fungus gnat endemic to New Zealand. The larval stage and the imago produce a blue-green bioluminescence.[2] The species is known to dwell in caves and on sheltered banks in native bush where humidity is high.[3] Its Māori name is titiwai, meaning "projected over water".
The first written record of the species dates from 1871 when it was collected from a gold mine in New Zealand's Thames region. At first it was thought to be related to the European glowworm beetle (Lampyris noctiluca) but, in 1886, a Christchurch teacher showed it was a larva of a gnat, not a beetle.[2] The species was first formally described in 1891 with the species name Bolitiphila luminosa and was assigned to the family Mycetophilidae.[4] In 1924, it was placed within a new genus of its own, Arachnocampa, because the wing venation of the adults and the behaviour of the larvae differed significantly from other Bolitophila fly species. It was given the genus name (meaning "spider-worm") on the basis of its building a silk nest and using silk threads to capture prey.[5][6]
Arachnocampa luminosa is widespread in both the North and the South Island of New Zealand although populations generally occur in cave systems and in native bush where prey species are available and humidity is high. Some sites have become popular destinations for tourists wanting to see the glowworms. These include the caves in Waitomo, Waipu, Inglewood and Te Anau,[2][7] and also in areas of native vegetation such as the Wellington Botanical Gardens.[8]
The spherical eggs (0.75mm in diameter) are usually deposited directly onto the cave wall. Upon hatching, the cylindrical larva immediately begins to glow. When they first emerge they are usually between 3 and 5 millimeters long, and will grow to between 30 and 40mm across several months. The larva may move around on the surface of the cave or bank before selecting a site to begin producing its silk nest.[2] Most larvae emerge during the spring.[9]
The larva spins a nest out of silk on the ceiling of the cave and then hangs down up to 30 silk threads along which it regularly places small sticky droplets.[10] Their prey largely include other small Diptera (especially midges)[9] although glowworm living on banks may also trap spiders and other non-flying invertebrates.[10] When prey is entangled in a snare, the larva pulls it up by ingesting the snare and starts feeding on the prey alive.[5]
After five larval instars,[9] the larva will suspend itself on a long thread and pupates over up to 24 hours. The pupal phase lasts about two weeks. During this time, the pupa continue to glow although males eventually lose their glow. The adults which eventually emerge are poor fliers.[2] Adults usually emerge during the winter and tend to live for up to 76 hours in the case of females and up to 96 hours in the case of males.[9] Females usually lay over 100 eggs and eggs usually hatch after about 20 days.[2]
Sources of mortality for glowworms include predation by cave harvestmen (including the short-legged harvestmen, Hendea myersi cavernicola, and the long-legged harvestmen, Megalopsalis tumida), parasitic fungi (Tolypocladium sp.), and possibly cannibalism when adults become entangled in other larvae's silk threads although evidence is mixed.[9][10]
This luminescent species resides in dark, cool and damp places such as caves and their diet is predatory, they use their bluish green glow to lure in their prey.[11] Compared to other caves the Temperature and Humidity inside the Glowworm Cave are atypical. When comparing climatic data from 1977–80 and 1955 it is shown that the cave was more stable in 1955 than it is now, this increase in climatic variability is thought to be due to the fact that in 1975 the entrance was unblocked forcing the cave to behave as a wind tunnel.[12]
The behavior observed of both the pupae and adult New Zealand glowworm has shown that the longest stage that the Arachnocampa goes through is its larval stage which can last up to a year. Females of the A. Luminosa are the ones that are actually luminescent but it is still unknown whether or not the female's light is what attracts a male opposed to pheromones, especially when it could possibly be both. Their eyes are designed to function well with the spectral range that covers UV to green wavelengths, adult A. Luminosa are not very good fliers and they only live for a few days, on top of that they do not feed either.[13]
The larvae of this species glow to attract prey into their threads.[10] The glow has a maximum wavelength of 487 nm[14] and, like other species exhibiting bioluminescence, this glow is produced as a result a luciferase enzyme acting upon a small molecule of luciferin.[15] It occurs in modified excretory organs known as Malpighian tubules in the abdomen.[16] The luciferase enzyme in this species shares similarities with the protein that occurs in fireflies. However, the luciferin that the enzyme acts upon is entirely different to that of fireflies and, indeed, other currently known bioluminescent systems.[15]
The pupae and adults of this species also produce light although the purpose is not clear. One suggestion has been that the light allows adult males to find potential mates.[17] However, there is little evidence to support this.[18] It is possible that the bio-luminescence in adults is simply a carry-over from the larval form because the Malpighian tubules are unaffected during metamorphosis.[19]
Arachnocampa luminosa (Skuse, 1891), commonly known as New Zealand glowworm or simply glowworm, is a species of fungus gnat endemic to New Zealand. The larval stage and the imago produce a blue-green bioluminescence. The species is known to dwell in caves and on sheltered banks in native bush where humidity is high. Its Māori name is titiwai, meaning "projected over water".
The first written record of the species dates from 1871 when it was collected from a gold mine in New Zealand's Thames region. At first it was thought to be related to the European glowworm beetle (Lampyris noctiluca) but, in 1886, a Christchurch teacher showed it was a larva of a gnat, not a beetle. The species was first formally described in 1891 with the species name Bolitiphila luminosa and was assigned to the family Mycetophilidae. In 1924, it was placed within a new genus of its own, Arachnocampa, because the wing venation of the adults and the behaviour of the larvae differed significantly from other Bolitophila fly species. It was given the genus name (meaning "spider-worm") on the basis of its building a silk nest and using silk threads to capture prey.
Arachnocampa luminosa est une espèce d'insectes diptères de la famille des Keroplatidae. Les larves de cette mouche endémique de Nouvelle-Zélande sont bioluminescentes[1].
Les larves dénommées glowworm par les anglophones et localement en Nouvelle-Zélande titiwai sont bioluminescentes, grâce à une réaction biochimique se déroulant dans les tubules du système excréteur des larves : les tubes de Malpighi[2],[3].
Cette luminescence joue un rôle en termes d'attraction de proies (des Diptères principalement, qui constituent 86 % de toutes les proies dans la nature et 89 % dans les grottes). Ces diptères sont attirés par la lumière, et viennent se coller aux gouttelettes de mucus adhésif accrochées aux fils verticaux)[4]. Cette lumière attire aussi dans les pièges des araignées, coléoptères, hyménoptères, orthoptères, trichoptères, gastéropodes, acariens, et Neuroptera (l'ordre de cette liste étant des proies les plus fréquentes aux plus rarement trouvées). Cependant, aucun adulte d'A. luminosa n'est capturé par ces pièges[4].
Arachnocampa luminosa est une espèce d'insectes diptères de la famille des Keroplatidae. Les larves de cette mouche endémique de Nouvelle-Zélande sont bioluminescentes.
Arachnocampa luminosa é unha especie de insecto cínfano endémico de Nova Zelandia. Tanto a fase de larva como a de imago son luminescentes. A especie é coñecida por habitar en covas, espenucas, cafurnas e lugares húmidos protexidos nas fragas. O seu nome maorí é titiwai, que quere dicir "proxectado sobre a auga".
A especie foi descrita por vez primeira en 1871 cando foi descuberta nunha mina de ouro na rexión de Thames. Ó principio pensouse que podería estar relacionada co Lampyris noctiluca europeo, pero en 1886, un profesor de Christchurch demostrou que era un cínfano, non un escaravello. Foi chamada Bolitiphila luminosa en 1891, antes de cambiar o nome por Arachnocampa luminosa en 1924.
Arachnocampa luminosa é unha especie de insecto cínfano endémico de Nova Zelandia. Tanto a fase de larva como a de imago son luminescentes. A especie é coñecida por habitar en covas, espenucas, cafurnas e lugares húmidos protexidos nas fragas. O seu nome maorí é titiwai, que quere dicir "proxectado sobre a auga".
A especie foi descrita por vez primeira en 1871 cando foi descuberta nunha mina de ouro na rexión de Thames. Ó principio pensouse que podería estar relacionada co Lampyris noctiluca europeo, pero en 1886, un profesor de Christchurch demostrou que era un cínfano, non un escaravello. Foi chamada Bolitiphila luminosa en 1891, antes de cambiar o nome por Arachnocampa luminosa en 1924.
Arachnocampa luminosa é uma espécie de inseto díptero endémica da Nova Zelândia. Tanto a larva como o imago são luminosos. A espécie vive em grutas húmidas e zonas abrigadas das florestas. O seu nome maori é titiwai, que significa "projetado sobre água".
A espécie foi primeiro descrita em 1871, quando exemplares foram recolhidos numa mina de ouro na região neozelandesa de Thames. Inicialmente pensava-se que seria aparentada ao pirilampo europeu, mas em 1866 um professor de Christchurch demonstrou que era a larva de um díptero, não um coleóptero. A esécie foi designada como Bolitiphila luminosa em 1891, sendo renomeada como Arachnocampa luminosa em 1924.
O seu ciclo de vida começa com um ovo, de onde eclode uma larva, que depois se torna numa pupa e finalmente numa mosca adulta. A maior parte da sua vida é passada na forma de larva - entre 6 e 12 meses, dependendo da comida disponível. Quando sai do ovo a larva mede entre 3 e 5 milímetros, e cresce até cerca de 3 centímetros. O corpo da larva é mole mas a cabeça é revestida por uma cápsula rígida. Quando essa cápsula se torna demasiado pequena, a larva tem uma muda de revestimento, o que acontece várias vezes durante a sua vida. A fase de pupa demora entre uma e duas semanas, durante as quais o animal brilha intermitentemente, suspenso do teto da gruta num pequeno fio sedoso. O macho praticamente deixa de brilhar poucos dias antes de emergir da pupa, enquanto o brilho da fêmea aumenta. Acredita-se que o brilho da fêmea atraia os machos, e que estes poderão já estar à espera quando esta emerge. As Arachnocampa luminosa adultas não se alimentam e vivem apenas alguns dias. Tanto os machos como as fêmeas brilham, mas não tanto como as larvas. O único objetivo dos adultos é acasalar, e, no caso das fêmeas, pôr ovos. Os insetos adultos são maus voadores, pelo que normalmente ficam da mesma área, dando origem a uma colónia. A fêmea põe cerca de 130 ovos, em grupos de 40 ou 50, morrendo pouco depois. Os ovos eclodem ao fim de uns 20 dias e o ciclo repete-se.
A larva tece uma teia de seda no teto da gruta, de onde estão suspensos até 70 fios de seda, cada um com 3 ou 4 centímetros e revestidos de gotas de muco. Os fios tecidos pelas Arachnocampa luminosa que vivem na floresta são mais curtos, já que o vento pode enreder fios mais compridos.
As larvas brilham para atrair as presas para os seus fios suspensos, talvez levando-as a pensar que se trata de uma saída para o exterior, já que o teto de uma gruta coberto de larvas pode parecer como se fosse um céu estrelado à noite. Uma larva esfomeada brilha com mais intensidade do que uma que tenha acabado de comer. As presas incluem pequenas moscas, efêmeras, tricópteros, mosquitos, mariposas e até pequenos caracóis ou milípedes. Quando uma presa fica enredada num fio, a larva puxa-a para cima ingerindo o fio e devorando-a. Há casos de canibalismo quando a densidade populacional é muito elevada ou quando os adultos se enredam eles próprios nos fios de seda quando emergem das pupas.
O brilho é o resultado de uma reação química que envolve luciferina, luciferase (a enzima que reage com a luciferina), trifosfato de adenosina (ATP, a molécula da energia) e oxigénio, e que decorre em órgãos excretórios modificados no abdómen, designados como túbulos de Malpighi.[2]
As larvas são sensíveis à luz e a perturbações e escondem-se e deixam de brilhar se elas ou os seus fios forem tocados. Têm poucos predadores, havendo uma espécie de opilião que as caça nalgumas grutas. São também afetadas por um fungo, que gradualmente mata a larva. Os esporos do fungo espalham-se através do movimento do ar, mas, como as larvas vivem em sítios sem vento, a difusão dos esporos é limitada. O maior perigo para a Arachnocampa luminosa é a interferência humana através da destruição do habitat.
A Arachnocampa luminosa encontra-se tanto na Ilha Norte como na Sul e é relativamente vulgar, embora as várias população estejam isoladas devido à ausência de habitats apropriados em áreas em que a agricultura é intensa e as florestas foram abatidas. As cavernas de Waitomo, na Ilha Norte, e de Te Ana-au, na Ilha Sul, são os habitats mais conhecidos, e ambas as cavernas tornaram-se populares destinos turísticos.
Outras populações conhecidas (Ilha Norte):
Ilha Sul:
Arachnocampa luminosa é uma espécie de inseto díptero endémica da Nova Zelândia. Tanto a larva como o imago são luminosos. A espécie vive em grutas húmidas e zonas abrigadas das florestas. O seu nome maori é titiwai, que significa "projetado sobre água".
A espécie foi primeiro descrita em 1871, quando exemplares foram recolhidos numa mina de ouro na região neozelandesa de Thames. Inicialmente pensava-se que seria aparentada ao pirilampo europeu, mas em 1866 um professor de Christchurch demonstrou que era a larva de um díptero, não um coleóptero. A esécie foi designada como Bolitiphila luminosa em 1891, sendo renomeada como Arachnocampa luminosa em 1924.
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