Arachnocampa
| Arachnocampa | |
|---|---|
| Two A. luminosa larvae with their prey snares | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Keroplatidae |
| Genus: | Arachnocampa Edwards, 1924 |
| Type species | |
| Bolitophila luminosa Skuse, 1891 | |
| Species | |
|
Various - see text | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Arachnocampa is a genus of nine fungus gnat species which have a bioluminescent larval stage, akin to the larval stage of glowworm beetles. The species of Arachnocampa are endemic to Australia and New Zealand, dwelling in caves and grottos, or sheltered places in forests.
A previous synonym was "Bolitiphila," meaning "mushroom lover," in the past. The name was changed in 1924 to Arachnocampa, meaning "spider web-worm," for the way the larvae hang sticky silk threads to ensnare prey. The genus Arachnocampa belongs in the family Keroplatidae.
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