Fauna
Insect

Southern Queensland Glow Worm

Arachnocampa flava

Also known as Queensland Glowworm, Glow-worm Gnat

Larvae of the Southern Queensland glow worm illuminate dark rainforest grottos, moist overhangs, and cave mouths with a soft, blue-green bioluminescent glow. Each larva builds a delicate silk hammock and suspends dozens of vertical silk snare lines studded with sticky droplets of mucus to ensnare tiny flying insects attracted by its light. Adults are frail, non-feeding fungus gnats that live only a few days, dedicating their brief aerial lives entirely to mating and laying eggs.

BioluminescentNocturnalCave Dweller
Southern Queensland Glow Worm reference1 / 2
(c) Julien Renoult, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Julien Renoult · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyMidges, Mosquitoes, Mayflies
Predators
  • Harvestmen
  • Cave crickets
  • Parasitic wasps
ThreatsDrought, habitat clearing, flash floods, and tourism disturbance from artificial light
HabitatsSubtropical rainforests, damp caves, rock faces, and wet overhangs
Life span9–12 months as larvae, adult flies live 2–5 days
Classification
  1. FamilyKeroplatidae
  2. SpeciesArachnocampa flava
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice
Look for clusters of starry, blue-green points of light on damp rock overhangs, earthy creek banks, and cave ceilings in subtropical rainforest.
Support conservation
Keep at least several paces back, refrain from using white light or flash photography, and observe in absolute silence.
Responsible observation
  • Lighting etiquette: Use only dim red torches; direct white light causes larvae to switch off their glow for hours.
  • Do not touch: Never brush against or handle the silk snares, as larvae expend vital energy rebuilding them.
  • Keep quiet: Sound vibrations and sudden air movements prompt larvae to extinguish their bioluminescence.
Related species
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