An abundant species in the forests of both islands. It generally lives under logs and although seldom seen in great numbers it can reach quite high densities of 10-15 per square metre. It also burrows in mats of moss. With the relatively long ovipositor the female inserts eggs into the moss walls of the burrows, mostly in the autumn. In Spring most eggs hatch but a few will not develop until they pass through another winter. The biological basis for this long development and delayed hatching is not understood in either a physiological or ecological sense. It is an insect predator taking a wide variety of small larvae, especially caterpillars and beetle larvae.