Major Group: Insecta Order: Hemiptera Family: Saldidae |
Descriptive Features: body ovoid to elongate, cryptically coloured, most often dark, with various lighter markings, particularly on the hemelytra
head declivent, short, lacks a collar-like vertex, with 3 pairs of trichobothria
eyes very large, reniform, not subpendunculate
ocelli usually present and flattened
antennae long, 4-segmented
rostrum 4-segmented, segment 1 very short and not apparent
pronotum subtrapezoidal
hemelytra with a distinctive membrane and 4 - 5 parallel sided cells
wing polymorphism prevalent
metathoracic scent gland with a median reservoir and a median osteole opening on the metasternum
legs adapted for jumping and running, relatively long
femora narrowly fusiform, lack long spines
tibiae linear, strongly spinose
tarsi 3-segmented
Total length: (m) 3.2 mm (f) 3.5 mm |
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Saldula sp. |
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Taxonomic Checklist: Genera species Saldula brevicornis Rimes Saldula coorongensis Rimes Saldula cygni Kirkaldy Saldula nicholsoni Hale Saldula psammobia Rimes Saldula reuteriella Kirkaldy Pentacora grossi Cobben (riparian) Pentacora leucographa Rimes (riparian) Pentacora salina Bergroth (riparian) |
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Distribution: Australia wide
Sensitivity Rating: SIGNAL grade 1
Functional Feeding Group: predators, scavengers |
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farm dam, Tas |
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Ecology: Instream habitat: Commonly known as ‘shore bugs’, Saldidae species are semi-aquatic and occur in littoral areas of lentic waters such as farm dams, aquaculture ponds and lagoons, as well as mud flats, salt marshes, rocks in streams, the base of waterfalls, sandbars and intertidal flats. Bare ground is their favoured habitat. Feeding ecology: Shore bugs are either predaceous or saprophagous (feeding on dead or decaying animal matter). All nymphal instars feed on young or disabled invertebrates, including their own species, found near the surface of the riparian sediments which they continually probe with their rostra in search of food. Habit: The dorsum of shore bugs has a mottled dark and light colouring giving them camouflage on the bare ground. They are very agile and capable of flight when disturbed. Life history: Females lay eggs amongst moss, in plant tissues or at the bases of grass blades. The egg phase lasts for five days. The first nymphal instar moults at three days, the second instar after three days, the third, fourth and fifth instars moult after four days each. There is no post-natal moult. |
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Information Sources: Cassis & Gross 1995, Carver et al 1991, Lansbury & Lake 2002, Ingram et al 1997 Key to Genera: none Key to Species: none
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