Freshwater invertebrates

A short-lived, strikingly stunning native mayfly known to fly-fishers and aquatic admirers yet seldom seen by the public may have its time in the spotlight this month as a nominee for the 2025 New Zealand Bug of the Year.

If your stream has a muddy-bottom or soft-bottom (made of silt or mud), you need to use a different method than if your stream has a stony-bottom.

Use a net & the kick-net method to collect a greater range of benthic macroinvertebrates and more accurately assess the diversity of the community.

If you don’t have a net, you can collect stones from the streambed and collect the invertebrates that are clinging to the stones.

Downloadable and printable guides on identification of common freshwater invertebrates found in New Zealand waterways and lakes.

There are two species of kōura or freshwater crayfish in Aotearoa.

Streams play a key role in the ecosystems of New Zealand’s unique landscape. They feed and link together freshwater sources, maintain good water quality and support habitats that sustain our biodiversity.