Free-living caddis (Neurochorema)

Taxonomic group

Hydrobiosidae: Neurochorema

Diagnostic features

The New Zealand hydrobiosid caddis larvae have pincers on their forelegs. Neurochorema larvae tend to have a relatively small head with dark pigmentation running length-wise along the top of the head, sometimes with a pale midline. The prosternal plate (shield-like plate between the forelegs) is slightly wider than long. The common N. confusum has pale spots on the sides of each abdominal segment.

[Neurochorema]. Pale spots on [Neurochorema confusum]. Image: Stephen Moore Image — Neurochorema. Pale spots on Neurochorema confusum. Image: Stephen Moore

[Neurochorema]. Image: Stephen Moore Image — Neurochorema. Image: Stephen Moore

Typical habitats

Neurochorema larvae can be common in bush-covered and farmland stony streams.

Feeding

They are predators, feeding on other stream invertebrates.

Indicator value

Hard bottom: 6
Soft bottom: 6

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

Neurochorema are found in streams of moderate to good water quality. They have tolerance values of 6 for both hard bottom and soft bottom sites.