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Story: Glow-worms

Adult glow-worm

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Adult glow-worm

New Zealand glow-worms are the larval stage of a fungus gnat, a delicate type of fly. New Zealand has over 300 species of fungus gnat, but only one – Arachnocampa luminosa – that produces light. This photograph shows an adult alongside a glow-worm pupa.

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Department of Conservation

Reference: 10033107

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How to cite this page

George Gibbs, Glow-worms – New Zealand’s glow-worms, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/9735/adult-glow-worm (accessed 5 June 2026).

Story by George Gibbs, published 1 March 2009.