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Guide to New Zealand's freshwater invertebrates
Shore bug
(
Saldidae
: Saldula
)
Diagnostic features
Saldula is a small semi-aquatic bug that may at first glance look like Microvelia or Mesovelia, but the body of Saldula is more oval in outline. Saldula, Microvelia and Mesovelia belong to a group of bugs that have antennae much longer than their head. They may or may not have wings.
Typical habitats
Saldula bugs are typically found above the water level amongst marginal habitats. They are far less common on the water surface than Microvelia (which commonly form large swarms on the water surface).
Feeding
They are predators, probably feeding on both aquatic and non-aquatic invertebrates.
Indicator value
Saldids can be found around waters of varying water quality. They have mid-range tolerance values of 5 (hard bottom sites) and 3.9 (soft bottom sites).
