Critter of the Week

This week's critter is the New Zealand Dobsonfly (Archichauliodes diversus). They are the only representing species of this group in New Zealand. These insects are unusual, spending most of their life in their aquatic juvenile form. As adults, they live only for around 6-10 days with the sole purpose of finding a mate and procreating, not even stopping to feed. The larvae are known as toe-biters due to their large, serrated mandibles which they use to catch anything that get close to them! They have tentacle-like appendages on the sides of the body, but these are actually their gills! They are common throughout New Zealand and thrive in stony streams with good water quality. Jesse spoke to Forest and Bird's Chief Executive Nicola Toki.