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Guide to New Zealand's freshwater invertebrates
Spiral cased caddis
(
Helicopsychidae
: Rakiura
)
Diagnostic features
Rakiura caddis larvae construct a small mobile case made of sand grains arranged in a spiral. Unlike the related Helicopsyche, Rakiura has a chimney-like upward extension from the middle of the case.
Typical habitats
Rakiura larvae are common in some bush-covered streams in the South Island.
Feeding
They are likely to be “collector-gatherers” (as are Helicopsyche), feeding on a range of organic matter accumulating on stream beds.
Indicator value
Rakiura larvae are generally found in streams with good habitat and water quality, hence the maximum tolerance value of 10 for hard bottom sites (there is no soft bottom tolerance value).
