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Cased caddis

Guide to New Zealand's freshwater invertebrates

Cased caddis ( Helicophidae : Alloecentrella )

Moss/liverwort covered case
Long black hairs on the pronotum

Diagnostic features

Alloecentrella caddis larvae construct a mobile case covered in bits of moss or liverwort. The opening at the tail end of the case is longer than wide. The front edge of the pronotum (first segment behind the head) has a fringe of long black hairs.

Typical habitats

Alloecentrella larvae are infrequently recorded, but they can be common in some bush-covered mossy streams.

Feeding

They are likely to be “collector-gatherers”, feeding on a range of organic matter accumulating on stream beds.

Indicator value

Alloecentrella larvae are usually found in bush covered streams with good water quality. They have a high tolerance value of 9 for hard bottom sites (there is no value for soft bottom sites).