Scientists estimate that the number of different insect species is between six and thirty million which makes Insecta the largest class of animals on earth. Therefore it comes as no surprise that there are some extremely fascinating abilities displayed amongst the class Insecta (Meyer-Rochow 2007).
Australian glow worms are the larval form of fungus gnats from the genus Arachnocampa. These fascinating larval arthropods have developed the ability to produce light inside their body. This ability is called bioluminescence, which translates to "living light" (Meyer-Rochow 2007). Information including the life cycle of glow worms, the biochemistry behind bioluminescence, how glow worms evolved and the benefits to humankind provided by this natural phenomenon is available in this website .
Video 1 features Sir David Attenborough explaining the method used by glow worms to catch their prey (BBCWorldwide 2008).
Australian glow worms are the larval form of fungus gnats from the genus Arachnocampa. These fascinating larval arthropods have developed the ability to produce light inside their body. This ability is called bioluminescence, which translates to "living light" (Meyer-Rochow 2007). Information including the life cycle of glow worms, the biochemistry behind bioluminescence, how glow worms evolved and the benefits to humankind provided by this natural phenomenon is available in this website .
Video 1 features Sir David Attenborough explaining the method used by glow worms to catch their prey (BBCWorldwide 2008).