10 mm 



The wandering skipper ( Panoquina 

 errans) is closely associated 

 with salt grass ( Distichlis 

 spicata) which provides food 

 for its larvae. 



The salt marsh water 

 boatman (Trichocorixia 

 reticulata ) develops 

 high densities in 

 saline pools. 



0.25mm 



^^ .; 



1^:^- 



Staphylinid beetles (e.g. this 

 Bledius sp.) are probably 

 responsible for the "fluffy" 

 appearance of some salt flats. 

 Their burrowing activities 

 loosen and aerate the soils 

 and may play a major role in 

 rehabilitating soils compacted 

 by off-road vehicle use. 



^^Jfe^' 



Figure 40. The role of insects in the salt-marsh commuuity is largely 

 unstudied. These are but a few of the hundreds of species whose ecology 

 needs to be investigated. Illustrations by J. DeWald. Photo by J. Zedler. 



66 



