11005-50710 Grey cranefly (Leptotarsus zeylandiae) female with greatly reduced wings and robust legs, walks amongst alpine fjelfield vegetation and rock. Females typically emerge to mate late in the afternoon, then lay their eggs and die a few hours later. The winged males fly in mist and drizzle. Sinbad Gully, Fiordland *
11005-49501 NZ Glow worm, or puratoke (Arachnocampa luminosa) larva, or 'worm' suspended in its slimy tube-like nest. NZ's Waitomo Caves are famous for the twinkling lights created by these insects. Waitomo Caves 8
DSC_3877 Salt pool Mosquito (Opifex fuscus) our only rock pool mosquito, most commonly found in brackish and saline rock pools above the high tide line. This species has unusual mating habits - the males hatch early, and wait on the surface of the pool to grasp the pupa of emerging females, and mate with them. Island Bay, Wellington *
