Glowworm- Arachnocampa luminosa
The Glowworm is the larval stage of the Gnat, a mosquito-like fly. The larva stage lasts 6-9 months usually. The creamy brown eggs hatch into larva three weeks after being laid. The larva starts off a few millimeters long and grows slowly to the shape and size of a matchstick. During the larval stage, which is the only feeding stage, energy is stored up to last the later stages of the life cycle. Thus food is very important and the glowworm uses the light it emits to attract food.
The blue-green light the glowworm emits is the result of a chemical reaction between Luciferin (a waste product of the organism containing a specific molecule that undergoes a chemical charge when affixed by an enzyme.), Luciferinase (the enzyme that acts upon luciferin), Adenosine Triphosphate (the energy molecule) and Oxygen. The combination creates an electronically excited product that is capable of emitting the blue-green light.
The light serves to attract insects that become the food of the glowworm. Thus, if the glowworm has had its fill of food, it is able to shut down the bioluminescent reaction and stop glowing. The glowworm will use dozens of sticky threads to catch the prey with is moving towards the light. When the prey got trapped in the threads, then the glowworm will move towards the trapped prey’s thread. The chemical in the thread immobilize the prey while the glowworm is moving. When the glowworm finally reach it’s prey, it will kill it and either eat the entire prey or suck up the juices.
The preys of the glowworm are midges, mayflies and caddis flies.
The moonlight will also disturb the glowing of the glowworm, and young glowworm will not be able to produce enough bioluminescent so it’s glowing will not be seen.
So to conclude, glowworm is a interesting organism which can glow, and using it to attract its prey
Acknowledgement
http://tourism.waitomo.govt.nz/glowworms.htm
http://maguires.com/glow_worms/about_worms.htm
The Glowworm is the larval stage of the Gnat, a mosquito-like fly. The larva stage lasts 6-9 months usually. The creamy brown eggs hatch into larva three weeks after being laid. The larva starts off a few millimeters long and grows slowly to the shape and size of a matchstick. During the larval stage, which is the only feeding stage, energy is stored up to last the later stages of the life cycle. Thus food is very important and the glowworm uses the light it emits to attract food.
The blue-green light the glowworm emits is the result of a chemical reaction between Luciferin (a waste product of the organism containing a specific molecule that undergoes a chemical charge when affixed by an enzyme.), Luciferinase (the enzyme that acts upon luciferin), Adenosine Triphosphate (the energy molecule) and Oxygen. The combination creates an electronically excited product that is capable of emitting the blue-green light.
The light serves to attract insects that become the food of the glowworm. Thus, if the glowworm has had its fill of food, it is able to shut down the bioluminescent reaction and stop glowing. The glowworm will use dozens of sticky threads to catch the prey with is moving towards the light. When the prey got trapped in the threads, then the glowworm will move towards the trapped prey’s thread. The chemical in the thread immobilize the prey while the glowworm is moving. When the glowworm finally reach it’s prey, it will kill it and either eat the entire prey or suck up the juices.
The preys of the glowworm are midges, mayflies and caddis flies.
The moonlight will also disturb the glowing of the glowworm, and young glowworm will not be able to produce enough bioluminescent so it’s glowing will not be seen.
So to conclude, glowworm is a interesting organism which can glow, and using it to attract its prey
Acknowledgement
http://tourism.waitomo.govt.nz/glowworms.htm
http://maguires.com/glow_worms/about_worms.htm
posted by softballer(hexian) at 7:06 AM
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