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Guide to New Zealand's freshwater invertebrates
Orange mayfly
(
Leptophlebiidae
: Acanthophlebia
)
Diagnostic features
Acanthophlebia mayfly nymphs have a flattened body form, large double leaf-like gills, large abdominal spines and a general orange-brown colour.
Typical habitats
Acanthophlebia larvae are most abundant in bush-covered, stony-bottom streams with cool and well aerated water.
Feeding
Leptophlebiid mayflies feed by scraping diatom algae and other organic matter from stone surfaces.
Indicator value
High abundances of Acanthophlebia suggest good habitat and water quality conditions, especially if other mayfly or stonefly groups are abundant. Acanthophlebia has tolerance values of 7 (hard bottom sites) and 9.6 (soft bottom sites).
