Larval stages of three Meropathus species (Coleoptera : Hydraenidae : Ochthebiinae) from New Zealand

The three larval stages of two New Zealand species of Meropathus Enderlein, 1901-M. campbellensis Brookes, 1951 and M. zelandicus Ordish, 1984-are ful ly described, including the first detailed account of their chaetotaxy. The second instar of a third species-M. johnsi Ordish, 1971-is recorded but no t fully described. The morphological characters which distinguish the larva e of M. campbellensis from those of M. zelandicus, as well as those disting uishing them from other hydraenid larvae, are given. A key to identify the three larval instars within a species is also given. The presence or absenc e of larval anal hooks in Hydraenidae is discussed.