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Dobsonfly

Guide to New Zealand's freshwater invertebrates

Dobsonfly (toe biter) ( Corydalidae : Archichauliodes )

Tentacle-like abdominal gills
Head with predatory mandibles

Diagnostic features

Archichauliodes dobsonfly larvae are amongst the largest of our freshwater insects. They are quite distinctive with tentacle-like gills along the sides of the abdomen, extensive blackening of the head and thorax, and large mandibles.

Typical habitats

Archichauliodes larvae are common in hard-bottom streams in bush covered and farmland areas.

Feeding

They are predators, using their large serrated mandibles to capture other stream invertebrates.

Indicator value

Archichauliodes are common in streams with moderate to good water quality. They have tolerance values of 7 (hard bottom sites) and 7.3 (soft bottom sites).