Taxonomic group
Family: Pelecorhynchidae
Diagnostic features
The pelecorhynchids are among the rarely recorded fly families in New Zealand. Their larvae are long and slender with a smooth and shiny appearance, no prolegs and no visible head. They could be mistaken for eriopterini cranefly larvae but pelecorhynchids have no swollen abdominal segment and no spiracular disc.
Typical habitats
Pelecorhynchid larvae are usually found in fast-flowing, hard bottom, mountain or hill country streams.
Feeding
We assume that as in overseas species the larvae are predators of other stream invertebrates.
Indicator value
- Hard bottom: 9
- Soft bottom: unassigned
The tolerance values (ranging from 0 to 10) give an indication of which are the sensitive taxa (values of 8 or more) and which are the tolerant taxa (values of 3 or less). For more information see: Indicator species
Pelecorhynchid larvae usually occur in mountain or hill country streams, where water quality is generally good. They have a hard bottom tolerance value of 9 (there is insufficient data to assign a value for soft bottom sites).