A glow-worm is a larva that glows. It lives in a silk hammock. It has fishing lines that hang off its hammock. The scientific name for a glow-worm is "Arachnocampa luminosa". The Maori name is "Titiwai".

1. The eggs are laid by the adult glow-worm. The eggs hatch into the larva about three weeks later.
2. When the egg has hatched into the larva, the larva slowly grows a few millimetres into the size of a matchstick. In 6-9 months the larva pupates. The larva stage is the only time the insect can eat. Throughout the glow-worms time as a larva it shines a bright light.
3. The pupa stage is like the cocoon stage for a caterpillars life. The larva encases itself in a pupal skin while it changes from the simple larva to an adult fly.
4. When the adult fly opens from the pupa the male seeks a female to mate with. When the female has finished mating she lays about 120 eggs. The adult fly has no mouth so they can't eat and therefore they only live for a few days

Glow-worms like to live in dark damp places with a water supply like caves and banks by rivers.

Glow-worms are important to Waitomo for tourism !

Back to Cave Tour or continue learning more about our glow worms

info is a group effort from Waitomo

poster from Can