The Waitomo glowworm caves have existed for over two million years, and now tourists can see how the insects react to light.
The natural attraction is located in New Zealand, northwest of the town of Te Kuiti. This man-made wonder consists of two levels and has impressive acoustic characteristics. The glowing effect is created by the glowworms Arachnocampa Luminosa, which inhabit only caves and grottos. They attract small insects that make up the basis of their daily diet.
Glowworms are found only in New Zealand and Australia. Their clusters resemble a starry sky, captivating with their beauty. The larvae live for no more than 12 months. Adult specimens reach a length of 30 mm. The unusual glow of the insects becomes brighter as their hunger increases. After feeding, the glowworms begin to weave traps, like spiders.
It is noteworthy that the first studies of the Waitomo Caves began in 1887. The unique relief was formed over millions of years from coral growths, bones of marine inhabitants, and shells, while seawater carved intricate passages. If a loud sound is made, the glowworms abruptly stop glowing, and the grotto plunges into complete darkness. Since 1889, the caves near Te Kuiti have been open to tourists, and to this day, they have been improved to create comfortable conditions for viewing the attraction.
