Studies on the larva of Oniscigaster wakefieldi (Ephemeroptera: Siphlonuridae) in Waitakere stream,Auckland

The larva of the primitive mayfly Oniscigaster wakefieldi, McLachlan 1873 (Ephemeroptera: Siphlonuridae) was studied in the Waitakere Stream, near Auckland, New Zealand, over a 17‐month period extending from July 1965— November 1966. A wide‐mouthed dragnet enabled monthly samples (average 46 specimens) to be collected for detailed studies of the larval growth pattern; this collecting method revealed that the species, previously thought to be rare, is numerous both in the study area and elsewhere in North Island, New Zealand.

O. wakefieldi has a univoltine life cycle with 20–25 larval instars. The larvae prefer different habitats according to their age and can be divided into three distinct groups: larvae 1–10 mm in length are found on finer sediments in quiet shallow water; 11–18 mm in length inhabit waters up to 50 cm deep where the substratum is mainly of pebbles (0.4–4.0 cm diameter) set in a silt matrix; and mature larvae 19–26 mm in length are found adjacent to dry emergent boulders, often at the base of riffles.

Three larval characters are described for the first time to separate the larvae of O. wakefieldi and O. distans. Sexual dimorphism is evident in O. wakefieldi populations by size difference; in the last larval instar, females average 4 mm longer than males. The known distribution of the species in North Island is illustrated.