Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

Guide to New Zealand's freshwater invertebrates

Stonefly ( Notonemouridae : Halticoperla )


Diagnostic features

Halticoperla stonefly nymphs have no gills between the cerci (“tails”), a more rounded pronotum (first segment behind the head) than other stoneflies, and the hind legs are much broader than the fore legs.

Typical habitats

Halticoperla nymphs are rarely recorded compared with other New Zealand stoneflies. Most records are from cold water, South Island streams.

Feeding

Like other stoneflies they may feed on a range of organic matter including decomposing wood and leaves, algae and other microscopic organisms in streambed biofilms.

Indicator value

Halticoperla nymphs are most likely to occur in streams with good water quality. No tolerance values have been assigned to this genus.