Life cycle of an Australian glow-worm Arachnocampa flava Harrison (Diptera: Keroplatidae: Arachnocampinae)

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2003
Authors:Baker, C.H., Merritt D.J.
Journal:Australian Entomologist
Volume:30
Pagination:45-55
Accession Number:200300396339
Keywords:Animalia-; Arachnocampa-flava (Diptera-): species-, Arthropoda-, Arthropods-, Australian-glow-worm, common-; Arachnocampa-luminosa (Diptera-): species-; Diptera-: Animals-, Development-; [75314-] Diptera-, Insecta-, Insects-, Invertebrata-, Invertebrates-; thorax-; egg-development-time; life-cycle; life-span; prey-capture; snare-construction; snare-mending
Abstract:

The life cycle of the southeast Queensland glow-worm Arachnocampa flava Harrison is documented and comparisons made with the more extensively studied New Zealand glow-worm, A. luminosa (Skuse). The adult life span of A. flava is short. Females live a maximum of 2.5 days and males 6 days. Egg development time is 7-9 days and the pupal stage lasts 6-7 days. Behaviour associated with snare construction, prey capture and snare mending is described. Pupae lie suspended horizontally by an anterior and posterior bracing cord, whereas A. luminosa pupae are suspended vertically by a single cord attached at the thorax. Only larvae and one early stage female pupa of A. flava were observed to bioluminesce in the laboratory.

Taxonomy checked: 
Yes
TDWG distribution: 
No
Specimens imported: 
No
Thu, 2007-03-01 13:45 -- vblago
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith