Glow-worms (they are larvae) live in dark and damp environments where they can make use of their bioluminescent body to catch food. In large clusters, the glow-worms present a beautiful sight – as in the Waitomo Caves in New Zealand – but for a flying insect, bioluminescent glow-worm larvae are deadly. Insects fly towards the blue light of the glow-worm larvae, but become stuck in the sticky hanging threads woven by the creatures to ensnare prey. Once an insect is stuck, the glow-worms draw up the hanging line and suck their prey dry. The larvae stage is the only time the Arachnocampa luminosa eats, because the adult gnats don’t have mouths. Larvae occasionally turn cannibalistic, and eat the adult gnats trapped in their sticky snare. Glow-worms live for about nine months.
Picture Credit : Google
