Large native dragonfly. Dragonfly larvae are found in a wide range of stream types in low numbers and are most common in lakes and ponds
New Zealand's streams are home to hundreds of tiny animals that live on and under rocks, waterplants, wood or debris. These animals include insects, crustaceans such as freshwater crayfish (koura), molluscs such as snails and mussels, worms and leeches.
They range in size from less than 1 mm long to over 10 cm long and can often be hard to see at first glance. Together these types of animals are called 'macroinvertebrates', meaning they have no backbones and can be seen without a magnifying glass or microscope.
Did you know New Zealand has over 200 species of freshwater macroinvertebrates? Find out more about New Zealand's freshwater invertebrates in this section.
Learn about what's threatening New Zealand's freshwater invertebrates.
Find out about DOC's freshwater invertebrate conservation work.
Find out how you can help New Zealand's freshwater invertebrates.
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