[2] The species is known to dwell in caves and on sheltered banks in the native bush where humidity is high, as moisture helps to maintain their silk structures that capture prey.

Arachnocampa luminosa is widespread across both the North and the South Island of New Zealand, although populations generally occur in cave systems and in native bush where prey species are available and humidity is high.

They shelter in caves or crevices that provide suitible darkness and protect their silk snares from air currents, near bodies of thick mud or still water where their insectine prey can breed.

These include the caves in Waitomo, Waipu, Inglewood and Te Ana-au,[2][8] and also in areas of native vegetation such as the Wellington Botanical Gardens.

[11] In 1924, it was placed within a new genus of its own, Arachnocampa, because the wing venation of the adults and the behaviour of the larvae differed significantly from other Bolitophila fly species.

[13] Their prey largely include other small Diptera (especially midges)[10] although glowworms living on banks may also trap spiders and other non-flying invertebrates.

[2] The blue-green glow that the larvae of Arachnocampa luminosa demonstrate, reaches a maximum wavelength of 487 nm[14] and is produced through a biochemical reaction involving a distinct luciferase enzyme and a specific luciferin molecule.

[19] While this species has the capability to glow at all stages of its life cycle excluding as an egg, The larvae of Arachnocampa luminosa exhibit the largest bioluminescence, primarily to fulfil the role of attracting prey.

[17] The glowing behaviour of the larvae plays a heavy role in their social dynamics, as this coordination results in a more intense collective display, increasing the effectiveness of their predatory traps.

The timing of their glow is therefore linked to the presence of potential food sources, suggesting that these bioluminescent patterns have evolved to optimise feeding opportunities.

[26] Using their dark, damp and cool environment to their advantage, glowworms construct vertical silk threads coated with mucus to trap flying insects.

Alongside this, they use their bluish-green glow to attract the small flying insects and lure the prey into the snares of their sticky threads.

That being said, with the ongoing pressures of the recent climate crisis, many glow worm sites such as Te Ananui Cave are being managed by local conservation groups to preserve these spots for future generations.