Immature Diptera (excluding Culicidae) inhabiting phytotelmata in the Auckland and Wellington regions

Abstract

This study records the Diptera fauna (excluding Culicidae) breeding in phytotelmata in the Auckland and Wellington regions of New Zealand, particularly in native forest habitats. Diptera larvae were relatively abundant in the leaf axils of the native epiphyte Collospermum hastatum, and in the fallen leaves of the native nikau palm Rhypalostylis sapida. Chironomidae and Tipulidae were the most common families collected, but larvae of Anisopodidae, Ceratopogonidae, Empididae, Psychodidae, and Syrphidae were also present.

Key words:

• phytotelmata
• Diptera
• larvae
• Wellington
• Auckland