THE FAMILY GYRINIDAE (HEXAPODA: COLEOPTERA) IN NEW ZEALAND With a description of a northern population
The Gyrinid species now known as Gyrinus convexiusculus Macleay, 1871, first described from Australia, was first discovered in New Zealand prior to 1873 by F. W. Hutton and a specimen was described as Gyrinus huttoni Pascoe, 1877. The locality given was Waikato, a large area north of the central plateau in the North Island. The same species of whirligig beetles was re-discovered in the Waikato, in lakes in Waipa Co., during the late 1970s. Both occurrences are discussed here and known specimens have been examined. In early 1983 another population of the same species was found in Mangonui Co. at the northern end of the North I, in man-made 'dams' more than 350 km from the Waipa Co. lakes. This population was monitored from 1983 to early 1987 and again in 1988. The locality is described and the history of the area indicates the dams were most probably constructed in the early 1930s. Results of observations and collections are given. Two specimens, found recently in the T. Broun collection, were collected in a third area on the northern east coast in Whangarei Co. Published records and known specimens of the species in New Zealand are recorded and possible origins of the Waikato and northern populations are discussed
Article, 1989