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Guide to New Zealand's freshwater invertebrates
Swimming mayfly
(
Ameletopsidae
: Ameletopsis
)
Diagnostic features
Ameletopsis mayfly nymphs have a wide, skull-like head, and their caudal filaments (“tails”) are fringed on each side.
Typical habitats
Ameletopsis larvae are most abundant in bush-covered, gravelly streams with cool and well aerated water.
Feeding
They are predators, feeding on other freshwater invertebrates.
Indicator value
Ameletopsis are not often found in high abundance, but they are indicative of good habitat and water quality, especially if other mayfly or stonefly groups are abundant. Ameletopsis has the highest tolerance value of 10 for both hard and soft bottom sites.
