Virtual Exhibit on Canada's Biodiversity





back to order Hemiptera		 insect database

Habitat
Adults: terrestrial
Immatures: terrestrial

Feeding Habits
Adults: predaceous
Immatures: predaceous

Size:
to
mm
Flight : seldom flies

North American
Species: 70

Hemiptera Saldidae
Shore bugs

Front Wings: leathery
Hind Wings: membranous
Mouthparts: sucking
Antenna Length: shorter than body
Antenna Shape: straight
Front Legs: unmodified
Hind Legs: unmodified

Special Characteristics: Shore bugs are small, oval, flattened bugs that are dark brown or black. They have wide heads with large eyes. They can be distinguished from other families of Hemiptera by their wing venation; they have four or five long closed cells in the membrane of the hemielytron.

Comments: Shore bugs are predaceous on other insects and are common along the shores of streams, ponds or sea coasts. They run quickly along the shore hunting for prey. When they are disturbed they fly quickly for a short distance and then hide under vegetation or in crevices.

Species:
Salda pallipes

Common Name:

Distribution: