Micrarchus Carl
This genus contains one described species that is found throughout the southern half of the North Island and the northern South Island. This species can be found on kanuka and other shrubs. The currently recognised species is:
Micrarchus hystricuelus (Westwood 1859)
This genus contains a number of undescribed species from the northern South Island that are currently being researched (Dunning et al. 2014). At least one of these species is restricted to habitat above the tree line. Species of Micrarchus are small, always brown in colour and often with numerous spines. Their eggs are also highly distinctive.
A mating pair of Micrachus hystriculeus from Wairarapa. Image - T. Buckley
A female Micrarchus sp. from the West Coast of the South Island. Image - T. Buckley
A Micrachus hystriculeus egg from Wellington. Image - B. Rhode
