Larval cave glows in New Zealand

The cave glows thanks to thousands of bioluminescent larvae clinging to jagged stone walls.

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The cave glows like fireflies in New Zealand.(Photo: Donnie Ray Jones / Flickr)

Waitomo Cave is located in the North Island, one of the two main islands in New Zealand. Bioluminescent insects cling to jagged stone walls forming magical glowing dots in the dark.

The luminescent creature is a species of mushroom mosquito whose scientific name is Arachnocampa Luminosa . Other names for them include "New Zealand fireflies" or simply "fireflies".

The larval stage of the animal lasts 6-12 months. They undergo pupae for one to two weeks and survive short days in adulthood to mate and lay eggs. Arachnocampa Luminosa glows during metamorphosis, as a way to attract prey and find partners.

According to Mother Nature Network, this sparkling cave is only part of the large Waitomo cave system, including Ruakuri and Aranui caves. The Maori local leader named Tane Tinorau, and British investigator Fred Mace, discovered it in 1887.