Keroplatidae is a family of smallflies known asfungus gnats. About 950 species are described, but the true number of species is undoubtedly much higher. The long-beaked fungus gnats, formerly placed in a separate familyLygistorrhinidae, have been placed into Keroplatidae as subfamilyLygistorrhininae.[1] They are generally forest dwellers found in the damp habitats favoured by their hostfungi.[2] They can also often be found in caves. Larvae both feed on fungi and are predatory - they can spin webs by secreting acid fluids, which they use to kill smallerinvertebrates and capture spores. Some of the predatory larvae cannibalize pupa of their own species.[3] The family notably includes three genera containingbioluminescent larvae.
Larvae in three genera of keroplatids are bioluminescent, and known as "glowworms", and they produce a blue-green light.[4] The larvae spin sticky webs to catch food. They are found in caves, overhangs, rock cavities, and other sheltered, wet areas. Despite the similarities in function and appearance, the bioluminescent systems of the three genera are nothomologous and are believed to have evolved separately.[5][6][7]
GenusArachnocampa – around five species found only inNew Zealand andAustralia. The best-known member of the genus is the New Zealand glowworm,Arachnocampa luminosa. The larvae are predatory and use their lights to lure prey into their webs.[8]
GenusOrfelia – sometimes known as "dismalites". Contains a single species,Orfelia fultoni, found only inNorth America. LikeArachnocampa spp., their larvae may use their lights to attract prey like springtails and other small insects, but their main food is fungal spores.[9]
GenusKeroplatus – found inEurasia. UnlikeArachnocampa andOrfelia, the larvae ofKeroplatus feed only on fungal spores.[10] Their bioluminescence is believed to have no function and isvestigial.[5]
^Viviani, Vadim R.; Hastings, J. Woodland; Wilson, Thérèse (2002). "Two bioluminescent diptera: the North AmericanOrfelia fultoni and the AustralianArachnocampa flava. Similar niche, different bioluminescence systems".Photochemistry and Photobiology.75 (1):22–27.doi:10.1562/0031-8655(2002)075<0022:TBDTNA>2.0.CO;2.PMID11837324.S2CID198153893.
^Meyer-Rochow, Victor Benno (2007). "Glowworms: a review of "Arachnocampa" spp and kin".Luminescence.22 (3):251–265.doi:10.1002/bio.955.PMID17285566.
^Sivinski, J. M. (1998). "Phototropism, bioluminescence, and the Diptera".Florida Entomologist.81 (3):282–292.
^Osawa, K.; Sasaki, T.; Meyer-Rochow, Victor Benno (2014). "New observations on the biology of Keroplatus nipponicus Okada 1938 (Diptera; Mycetophiloidea; Keroplatidae), a bioluminescent fungivorous insect".Entomologie Heute.26:139–149.
