New Zealand Glowworm vs Brazilian Eosentomid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute New Zealand Glowworm Brazilian Eosentomid
Scientific Name Arachnocampa luminosa Eosentomon braziliense
Order Diptera Protura
Family Keroplatidae Eosentomidae
Size 30-40 mm (larvae) 0.8-1.3 mm
Habitat Caves Forests
Diet Fungus Feeders Fungus Feeders
Regions Oceania South America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

New Zealand Glowworm

A bioluminescent fungus gnat larva endemic to New Zealand. Produces blue-green light to lure prey into sticky silk threads dangling from cave ceilings.

💡

Did You Know?

These glowworms use a completely different bioluminescent chemistry from fireflies — their luciferin is unique in the animal kingdom, derived from xanthurenic acid.

Brazilian Eosentomid

A tropical proturan from Brazilian forest soils representing one of the few South American species described. It inhabits deep humus layers.

💡

Did You Know?

Tropical proturan diversity is severely understudied and likely contains hundreds of undescribed species.