The cave was created to protect the local species of glow worms, Arachnocampa flava. Glow worms are actually fly larvae that glow in the dark to attract and catch small insects. Glow worms are extremely useful in our Australian ecosystems. They help control insect populations. The goal of the cave and glow worm tours is to make an experience that is accessible for families while benefiting wild glow-worm populations. Visiting the Tamborine Mountain Glow Worm Caves and going on a cave tour gives visitors the opportunity to see glow worms during the daytime. Since people have been diverted to the cave instead of local glow worm colonies, glow worm numbers in the wild have begun increasing again.