Water Penny

Water penny larva Photographers - John Gooderham and Edward Tsyrlin

Sclerocyphon sp.

Water Pennies may be found gripping the surface of rocks in flowing streams.

The larvae are smaller than 12mm long, oval and greatly flattened. The head and legs are not visible from above.

The adults are short and broad, fully aquatic and not easily seen.

The larvae feed on algae scraped from the surface of rocks. A number of species are found in south-eastern Australia.

The streamlined larvae are obviously adapted for life in flowing water.