DSC_3910 Salt pool Mosquito (Opifex fuscus) habitat. 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. Palmer Head, Wellington *
DSC_3820 Kelp fly (Chaetocoelopa littoralis) resting on kelp (Lessonia variegata). Kelp flies are restricted to the wrack zone along coasts. They are important decomposers in coastal ecosystems, consuming decaying brown algae, particularly kelp. Island Bay, Wellington *
DSC_3781 Kelp fly (Chaetocoelopa littoralis) cluster on coastal boulder. Kelp flies are restricted to the wrack zone along coasts. They are important decomposers in coastal ecosystems, consuming decaying brown algae, particularly kelp. Island Bay, Wellington *
