WANTED: Australian Glow Worm

[Colton]

I'm looking to keep the Australian glow worm Arachnocampa (especially A. flava). I've done the homework and am confident that I can provide the proper care for this species, but as I live the U.S., I'm hoping to find someone who could ship me several of them.
 
If there are any members from Australia, especially near Queensland, hit me up!
 
Thanks,
Colton

 

[Goliathus]

I'd not be surprised if Arachnocampa are protected from collecting (at least, not without a special permit), and anyway, they probably can't be exported out of Australia / New Zealand.

In regard to bioluminescent insects, you might find it much more practical and worthwhile to work with click beetles of the genus Pyrophorus - 

http://beetleforum.net/topic/3351-fs-pyrophorus-noctilucus-larvae-glowing-click-beetle/

 

[Colton]

I'd not be surprised if Arachnocampa are protected from collecting (at least, not without a special permit), and anyway, they probably can't be exported out of Australia / New Zealand.

In regard to bioluminescent insects, you might find it much more practical and worthwhile to work with click beetles of the genus Pyrophorus - 

http://beetleforum.net/topic/3351-fs-pyrophorus-noctilucus-larvae-glowing-click-beetle/

Thanks for the heads up. I've read all that I can find on this issue, and I haven't found anything that indicates the Australian government would take issue with exporting Arachnocampa. It's not on any protected species lists and it's quite common depending on the region. It also doesn't appear on any restricted lists here: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/wildlife-trade/travellers-shoppers I am slightly concerned about US customs though (not because the species is harmful in any way, but because the regulations online are kind of vague and I don't have much experience with buying animals from overseas)

I actually have Pyrophorus larvae developing right now. They're going to be awesome when they emerge as beetles.

 

[Colton]

So after digging a little more and talking to some breeders from Australia, I've learned that Australia does indeed have super strict export laws and buying any invertebrate from there, including glow worms, is going to be out of the question at least for the foreseeable future. So looks like you were right. This post was a long shot anyway, but I'm still looking to add another bioluminescent animal to my collection. I'm also very interested in the luminescent larvae of the Phengodidae beetles, aka railroad worms. If anyone reading this has access to these animals or to another bioluminescent species (aside from pyrophorus noctilucus, which I already have), let me know!

 

[Acro]

What about Bioluminescent Mushrooms?

Check it:  http://vistamushrooms.com/index.php/glow-in-the-dark-mushroom.html

 

[Colton]

What about Bioluminescent Mushrooms?

Check it:  http://vistamushrooms.com/index.php/glow-in-the-dark-mushroom.html

Thank you, they are indeed awesome and I have grown some before. I grew Panellus stipticus in a terrarium and the mushrooms looked like miniature nightlights. Unfortunately, the terrarium developed mold after a couple weeks and I had to toss it. The sterile procedures involved in cultivating mushrooms can be kind of overwhelming, and it's not at all like growing plants, but that said I think I will have to give them another try again in the future.