New Zealand Invertebrates

DSC_4606 Burrowing mayfly (Ichthybotus hudsoni) nymphs such as this one burrow into the gravelly beds of forest streams with cool and well aerated water. They have delicate slender bodies, distinctive feather-like gills, and tusk-like mandibles extending in front of the head which are used for digging, not for capturing prey. They are thought to be “collector-gatherers”, feeding on organic matter trapped in the stream bed. Rangitukia Stream, Mt Pirongia *