The freshwater jellyfish Craspedacusta sowerbyi (top) is not native to New Zealand and possibly came from China. The species was first documented in Lake Taupō and lakes around Rotorua in the 1950s. It has since been recorded in many other lakes. It preys mainly on the zooplankton Ceriodaphnia (bottom). It seems unlikely that the jellyfish is a threat to native freshwater life.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
NIWA – National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research
This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.
Tāpiritia te tākupu hou