New Zealand Invertebrates

11005-12014 Caversham peripatus (Peripatoides 'Dunedin') moulting skin. Caversham *

DSC_6611 Katydid (Caedicia simplex) normally bright green, this 'red' nymph is on raspberry leaves, where it was able to live undisturbed among the bright red raspberry fruits. This genetic mutation causes an absence of the normal green pigment and the excessive production of pink pigment on rare occasions. Yellow' individuals are also sometimes seen. Tutukaka Coast, Northland *

11005-40711 Helms forest ringlet butterfly (Dodonidia helmsii) male on Umbrella fern (Sticherus sp). Mount Ruapehu *

11005-26901 Mole cricket (Triamescaptor aotea) female in underground nursery tending her young. Wairarapa *

11005-57005 Native colletid bee (Leioproctus pango) in flight over mistletoe flower. Waipori Gorge *

11005-27819 Wellington tree weta (Hemideina crassidens) a modified pencil case nailed to a tree, serves as a weta 'nest box' in a Wellington garden *

IMG_0080 Superb giant landsnail (Powelliphanta superba prouseorum) is our largest giant landsnail, its shell may grow up to 90 mm across and 40 mm high. A fist sized adult snail can weigh over 90g, but unfortunately old individuals like this are now rare, because possums, and at lower altitudes pigs and rats, have largely wiped them out. These massive snails are confined to the forests inland of Kahurangi Point in North west Nelson, where aerial control of possums may be this snail's only hope for survival *

11005-41802 Red admiral butterfly (Vanessa gonerilla gonerilla) on Ribbonwood flowers (Hoheria sexstylosa) in an urban backyard. Otago Peninsula *

DSC_8492 Albatross feather-chewing louse (Harrisoniella hopkinsi) among the worlds largest lice, this male is 9mm long. There are usually fewer than half a dozen adult specimens found on any single host bird - typically other species of feather lice may number in the hundreds. This species is mostly found under the wings of large albatrosses; the louse is shaped to lie along the shaft of the wing feathers of Royal and Wandering albatross species. Feather lice radiated in response to the evolution of feathers - probably on the early therapod dinosaurs. Albatross and their dependant lice co-evolved between 40 and 50 million years ago making this a very old relationship indeed. Taiaroa Head, Otago Peninsula *

11005-35102 Meadow spittle bug (Philaenus spumarius) froth covered nymph. Otago Peninsula *

11005-31004 Kaikoura giant weta (Deinacrida parva) female eating moss. Upper Kowhai Stream, Seaward Kaikoura Range *

DSC_3138 Gordian worm ( Nematomorpha) adult climbing on mountain flax flower after torrential rain. Often found in damp areas, such as watering troughs, swimming pools, streams, puddles, and cisterns. The adult worms are free-living, but the larvae are parasitic on orthopterans, such as ground weta. Otago Peninsula *

11005-11001 Land planarians (Artioposthia subquadrangulata) and the larger (Arthurdendyus testaceus) in beech forest, Hawdon Valley *

DSC_9517 Granulated land planarian (Artioposthia subquadrangulata) in beech forest, Cobb Saddle. The Artioposthia subquandrangulata complex comprises a number of genera. The unusual surface granulation of some of these species, has not been described in other New Zealand flatworms *

DSC_8037 Land planarian (Artioposthia polyadoides) 'digesting' a Hook-tip fern looper moth (Sarisa muriferata), on hounds tongue fern on an autumn night. Flatworms are acoelomates, which means they have no body cavity, and no specialized circulatory and respiratory organs. To feed, the animal extrudes a sheet-like digestive tissue through an 'opening' or pharynx, located halfway down the underside of the body. This tissue secretes a powerful enzyme which reduces its struggling victims body to a ghastly stew, and the nutrients are then absorbed. Once digestion is complete the digestive tissue is withdrawn back inside the body through the pharynx, and the animal moves on. This flatworm was originally described from Pipikaretu. The Cove, Otago Peninsula *

DSC_0493 Giant flatworm (Newzealandia graffii occidentalis) in mountain beech forest. This animal, moving across the lichen-covered forest floor at night, measured over 20cm when fully extended. This large, widespread and distinctive species has been recorded from Taranaki, Hutt Valley, northwest Nelson, and the West Coast *

DSC_0477 Giant flatworm (Newzealandia graffii occidentalis) in mountain beech forest. This animal, moving across the lichen-covered forest floor at night, measured over 20cm when fully extended. This large, widespread and distinctive species has been recorded from Taranaki, Hutt Valley, northwest Nelson, and the West Coast *

DSC_1482 Giant flatworm (Newzealandia graffii occidentalis) a predatory flatworm approaches it's prey, a Denniston giant landsnail (Powelliphanta patrickensis) - which is itself foraging for native earthworms in the moss at night. Denniston Plateau *

DSC_1507 Giant flatworm (Newzealandia graffii occidentalis) 'digesting' a Denniston giant land snail (Powelliphanta patrickensis) which it has captured at night. To feed, the flatworm extrudes a sheet-like digestive tissue through a muscular tube or pharynx, located halfway down the underside of it's own body - this it places over the opening of the snail's shell. The flatworm's digestive tissue secretes a powerful enzyme which reduces the struggling snail to a ghastly stew inside it's shell, and the snail's nutrients are then absorbed by the flatworm. Once digestion is complete the digestive tissue is withdrawn back through the tube into the flatworm's body and the animal moves on, leaving behind a slimy, empty shell. Denniston Plateau *

DSC_1509 Giant flatworm (Newzealandia graffii occidentalis) attacking a Denniston giant landsnail (Powelliphanta patrickensis) at night. To feed, the flatworm extrudes a sheet-like digestive tissue through a muscular tube or pharynx, located halfway down the underside of it's own body - this it places over the opening of the snail's shell. The flatworm's digestive tissue secretes a powerful enzyme which reduces the struggling snail to a ghastly stew inside it's shell, and the snail's nutrients are then absorbed by the flatworm. Once digestion is complete the digestive tissue is withdrawn back through the tube into the flatworm's body and the animal moves on, leaving behind a slimy, empty shell. Denniston Plateau *

DSC_8117 Giant flatworm (Newzealandia graffii occidentalis) detail of a large winter egg capsule forming within flatworm's body in autumn. Once produced, five to seven eggs will lie protected within the capsule or 'cocoon'. The eggs will over-winter within the protection of the capsule and hatch as miniature flatworms in the spring. Happy Valley, Stockton Plateau *

DSC_8116 Giant flatworm (Newzealandia, graffii, occidentalis) detail of a large winter egg capsule forming within flatworm's body in autumn. Once produced, five to seven eggs will lie protected within the capsule or 'cocoon'. The eggs will over-winter within the protection of the capsule and hatch as miniature flatworms in the spring. Happy Valley, Stockton Plateau *

DSC_8086 Giant flatworm (Newzealandia graffii occidentalis) with a freshly laid winter egg capsule produced in autumn. Five to seven eggs lie protected within the capsule or 'cocoon'. The eggs will over-winter within the protection of the capsule and hatch as miniature flatworms in the spring. Happy Valley, Stockton Plateau *

DSC_8107 Giant flatworm (Newzealandia graffii occidentalis) detail of a freshly laid winter egg capsule produced in autumn. Five to seven eggs lie protected within the capsule or 'cocoon'. The eggs will over-winter within the protection of the capsule and hatch as miniature flatworms in the spring. Happy Valley, Stockton Plateau *

DSC_8143 Giant flatworm (Newzealandia graffii occidentalis) detail of a freshly laid second winter egg capsule beside an earlier one, both produced in autumn. Five to seven eggs lie protected within each capsule or 'cocoon'. The eggs will over-winter within the protection of the capsule and hatch as miniature flatworms in the spring. Happy Valley, Stockton Plateau *

11005-11013 Ectocommensal flatworms (Temnohaswellia novaezealandiae) Temnocephalid flatworms are distinguished by short, fat bodies and heads that branch into five or more blunt 'fingers' as can be seen here on the head of the endemic Southern freshwater crayfish or koura, (Paranephrops zealandicus). Boulder Beach, Otago Peninsula *

DSC_0426 Ectocommensal flatworm (Temnohaswellia novaezealandiae) Temnocephalid flatworms are distinguished by short, fat bodies and heads that branch into five or more blunt 'fingers', as can be seen here, perched on the on the eye of the endemic Northern freshwater crayfish or koura, (Paranephrops planifrons). Trent Stream, Denniston Plateau *

DSC_0454 Ectocommensal flatworms (Temnohaswellia novaezealandiae) Temnocephalid flatworms are distinguished by short, fat bodies and heads that branch into five or more blunt 'fingers' as can be seen here, living on the on the carapace of the endemic Northern freshwater crayfish or koura, (Paranephrops planifrons). Trent Stream, Denniston Plateau *

11005-10008 Purple earthworm (Perieodrilus ricardi) growing to 290mm, and recorded by WB Benham from the SW corner of Resolution Island, in Fiordland. This animal was photographed in the Snagburn, and the species is also common in Sinbad Gully. There are now nearly 200 species of earthworm known from New Zealand, and the truth is we are likely to have upwards of 800 native species *

DSC_0283 Large red earthworm (Family: Megascolecidae) with egg capsules. Each egg capsule can hatch from 3-7 worms.The capsule or 'cocoon' can survive freezing, and dry conditions for extended periods of time, and will hatch in warm and moist conditions. Earthworms 'blow' egg capsules - rather like we might blow a bubble. Worm egg capsules are bright golden yellow when first laid and progressively turn brownish red before hatching *

DSC_6936 Variegated pink and white earthworm (Eodrilus annectens) an agile, fast moving earthworm that often sheds its tail while escaping - an adaptation to living alongside the earthworm eating snail (Powelliphanta patrickensis) perhaps. This is a common earthworm on the Denniston Plateau, and just one of more than twenty native earthworm species living in the so-called 'impoverished' soils of the coal measures *

DSC_6958 Green earthworm (Maoridrilus michaelseni) one of more than twenty native earthworm species living in the 'impoverished' soils over coal measures on the Denniston Plateau *

11005-10001 Grey earthworm (Octolasion cyaneum) a widespread introduced earthworm. This topsoil species lives in soil close to the surface, feeding on dead plant material. Found in leaf litter in red beech forest in the Bealey Area. Hawdon Valley *

11005-10913 New Zealand 'Tiger' leech (Richardsonianus mauianus) is one of the few freshwater, blood-sucking leeches native to New Zealand. It is larger than the more common glossiphoniids, and is easily recognised by its longitudinal stripes. Richardsonianus is occasionally found in Northern lakes, ponds and slow flowing weedy streams. They are blood suckers, and will latch on to the bare legs of humans wading in their habitats. Gordonton, Waikato *

11005-10902 Open Bay Island leech (Hirudobdella antipodium) adult on damp rock. There are three known species of these large terrestrial leeches, which feed on the blood of seabirds, particularly penguins and shearwaters. All are now endangered, and confined to rat-free offshore islands. Photographed April 1996, on Taumaka Island *

11005-10905 Open Bay Island leech (Hirudobdella antipodium) adult, 'nestled' into the webbing on the foot of a little blue penguin after dark. This is the typical feeding position adopted by these rare native leeches, and you can see other scars characteristic of previous feeding sessions. Such scars, usually near the webbing, are indicative of the presence of leeches in seabird colonies on rat-free islands. Photographed April 1996, on Taumaka Island *

11005-12007 Wellington peripatus (Peripatoides novaezealandiae) adult in old totara stump. An ovoviparous (livebearing) species with 15 pairs of legs. Large females may measure up to 12cm long. Wellinton Region *

11005-11601 Maud Island peripatus (Peripatoides sp.) a large ovoviparous (live bearing) female with 15 pairs of legs, measuring more than 80mm in length, from coastal broadleaf (kawakawa/kohekohe/nikau) forest. Boat Bay, Maud Island *

DSC_1271 Kahurangi peripatus (Peripatoides aurorbis) an ovoviparous (livebearing) species with 15 pairs of legs, walks across a well preserved leaf fossil from the Eocene Period (40 MYA) in Conglomerate Stream, Denniston Plateau *

11005-11916 Rangataua peripatus (Peripatoides sympatrica) adult. An ovoviparous (livebearing) species with 15 pairs of legs, walking across moss in Rangataua Forest *

11005-11305 Indigo peripatus (Peripatoides indigo) a large, deep-blue coloured ovoviparous (live bearing) species, with 14 pairs of legs. This female measured 90mm in length. Restricted to Northwest Nelson *

11005-11301 Indigo peripatus (Peripatoides indigo) a large, deep-blue coloured ovoviparous (live bearing) species, with 14 pairs of legs. This female measured 90mm in length. Restricted to Northwest Nelson *

11005-12014 Caversham peripatus (Peripatoides 'Dunedin') moulting skin. The species is ovoviparous (live-bearing), and has 15 pairs of legs. It is widespread through a range of habitat, from forests and urban areas (including tip sites) in Dunedin, through the tussock grasslands of Danseys Pass to its northern limits in the mixed broadleaf/podocarp forests of Peel Forest. Caversham Valley, Dunedin *

11005-11909 Caversham peripatus (Peripatoides 'Dunedin') with two young. The species is ovoviparous (live-bearing), and has 15 pairs of legs. It is widespread through a range of habitat, from forests and urban areas (including tip sites) in Dunedin, through the tussock grasslands of Danseys Pass to its northern limits in the mixed broadleaf/podocarp forests of Peel Forest. Caversham Valley, Dunedin *

11005-11815 Caversham peripatus (Peripatoides 'Dunedin') close-up inside rotten log. this species is ovoviparous (live-bearing), and has 15 pairs of legs. It is widespread through a range of habitat, from forests and urban areas (including tip sites) in Dunedin, through the tussock grasslands of Danseys Pass to its northern limits in the mixed broadleaf/podocarp forests of Peel Forest. Caversham Valley, Dunedin *

11005-11919 Trotters Gorge peripatus (Peripatoides 'Dunedin') group communally feeding on a dead cave weta (Pleioplectron simplex). This species is ovoviparous (live-bearing), and has 15 pairs of legs. It is widespread through a range of habitat, from forests and urban areas (including tip sites) in Dunedin, through the tussock grasslands of Danseys Pass to its northern limits in the mixed broadleaf/podocarp forests of Peel Forest. Trotters Gorge *

DSC_5150 Mt Peel peripatus (Peripatoides 'Dunedin') this species is ovoviparous (live-bearing), and has 15 pairs of legs. It is widespread through a range of habitat, from forests and urban areas (including tip sites) in Dunedin, through the tussock grasslands of Danseys Pass to its northern limits in the mixed broadleaf/podocarp forests of Peel Forest. Peel Forest *