Bug possibly Saldula orthochila - expert help please

Geoff F · #1 (**permalink**) 26-07-2011, 06:23 PM

From a damp S. Devon wood. Mostly Oak, Chestnut and Sycamore. Near the sea. 22/07/11.

My efforts come up with Saldula orthochila as the best match but I can't find any records from SW England.

So advice from a more knowledgeable person would be appreciated.

tristanba · #2 (**permalink**) 26-07-2011, 07:45 PM

Saldula is a very tricky genus! I would agree this is most likely to be S. orthochila

Geoff F · #3 (**permalink**) 26-07-2011, 07:57 PM

Thanks for that, Tristan. It has cheered me up to know that I was on the correct lines, thanks to Denis Unwin's Aidgap Guide to Bug Families and a check of the British Bugs site.

Strange that I couldn't find any records for my area though.

But I am finding a few species which haven't been recorded here, or just a few records. Probably due to a general under recording of insects in this area.

Jason Green · #4 (**permalink**) 26-07-2011, 10:18 PM

Evening Geoff,

Nice-looker. How did you find this - dry-habitat job?

Take care,

Jason

Geoff F · #5 (**permalink**) 27-07-2011, 08:00 PM

Yes Jason. Dry but not arid grassland.

An old rather damp wood with many fallen or poor condition trees on a steep hillside where the lower trees are fairly close to the estuary mouth.

Pasture land adjoins the upper boundary and there is a small stream.

Most of my interesting finds from this spot are near the farmland edge and fairly close to the stream.