British Bugs
HOME A BIT ABOUT BUGS GALLERY SYSTEMATIC LISTS RECORDING BUGS CONTACT US LINKS

Macrosaldula scotica
Family: Saldidae

 Previously included in the diverse genus Saldula, this species is larger and has details of marking that clearly separate it from other UK saldids. The large size is distinctive, and the second antennal segment is unusually long (at least 2.2 times the length of the first). The first antennal segment, and the fore and mid femora, are longitudinally banded black and white. Forewings are generally dark with a few pale spots, and with spatrse short pubescence that is more prominent on the fore-body.

This bug is normally found running over boulders at the edge of streams in upland areas of Britain, and is widespread and reasonably common.
Compare: S. saltatoria, Salda muelleri
Adult: June-October, possibly overwintering
Length 5.3-6.2 mm
 Macrosaldula scotica
Adult: Berwickshire (July 2011) ©Sandy Rae
Macrosaldula scotica
 Macrosaldula scotica
Adult: North Wales (July 2011) ©Joe Botting

 Adult: Berwickshire (July 2011) ©Sandy Rae