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Free-living caddis

Guide to New Zealand's freshwater invertebrates

Free-living caddis ( Hydrobiosidae : Edpercivalia )

Prosternal plate pigmentation

Diagnostic features

The New Zealand hydrobiosid caddis larvae have pincers on their forelegs. Edpercivalia larvae are best recognised by the shape and colouring of the prosternal plate (between the forelegs). This plate is slightly wider than long, and has a strong “bump” in the black pigmentation at the midpoint of the hind edge.

Typical habitats

Edpercivalia larvae are most common in South Island stony streams, particularly in mountainous areas.

Feeding

They are predators, feeding on other stream invertebrates.

Indicator value

Edpercivalia are most likely to be found in cold water streams with good water quality. They have tolerance values of 9 (hard bottom sites) and 6.3 (soft bottom sites).