Science Centres: Aquatic Biodiversity and Biosecurity

 

Brian Smith sets up a light trap. (Photo: Stephanie Parkyn, NIWA)
(Inset – an example of the caddisfly catch) (Photo: Brian Smith, NIWA)

NIWA scientists have discovered two species of caddisfly that are new to science, using specially-designed ultraviolet light traps. One species was found in a southern Waikato river, and the other, a microcaddisfly, and literally the size of a pinhead, was found in the Mangaiti Reserve in Hamilton City. This microcaddisfly is possibly New Zealand’s smallest caddisfly.

Caddisflies are one of the most diverse groups of organisms living in New Zealand freshwaters. They are an important part of the diet of fish (as fly-fishers well know) and are often used as indicators of healthy stream ecosystems. The new light traps have allowed us to catch the terrestrial, adult stage of caddisflies from streams and rivers.

The New Zealand caddisfly fauna is unique in that all but one of our 240-plus species occur nowhere else in the world. The research was conducted on behalf of Environment Waikato, and finding these newly-discovered species will improve understanding of the biodiversity of freshwater insects and biodiversity patterns in the Waikato region. This kind of information contributes to determining conservation requirements, including prioritising sites for protection.