The Peloridiidae or moss bugs are a family of true bugs, comprising eighteen genera and thirty-four species. They are small, ranging in length from 2 to 4 mm, rarely seen, peculiarly lumpy, flattened bugs found in Patagonia, New Zealand, eastern Australia, Lord Howe Island, and New Caledonia. All the Peloridiidae species are flightless, except one. Their present distribution suggests they have existed since before the breakup of Gondwana, and their relation to Heteroptera dates back to at least the upper Permian, more than 230 million years ago. Peloridiids are found amongst mosses and liverworts, commonly in association with southern beech forests. They have become known as moss bugs for their habit of feeding on mosses.
The forest shield bug is a species of shield bugs endemic to New Zealand. Forest shield bug nymphs prefer feeding on grasses, while adults will eat a variety of New Zealand plants including "hard-leaved" plants like rimu. O. vittatus was one of the first insects from New Zealand to be described by a European scientist.
Kikihia angusta, the tussock cicada, is a species of cicada that is endemic to New Zealand. This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1850.
Kikihia horologium, the clock cicada, is a species of cicada that is endemic to New Zealand. This species was first described by Charles Fleming in 1984.
Kikihia laneorum, commonly known as Lane's cicada, is a species of cicada that is endemic to New Zealand. This species was first described by Charles Fleming in 1984. It is named in honour of John and David Lane who discovered this species.
Kikihia muta, commonly known as the variable cicada, is a species of cicada that is endemic to New Zealand. This species was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775.
Kikihia paxillulae, commonly known as Peg's cicada, is a species of cicada that is endemic to New Zealand. This species was first described by Charles Fleming in 1984.
Kikihia rosea, commonly known as the pink or Murihiku cicada, is a species of insect that is endemic to New Zealand. This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1850.
Kikihia scutellaris, commonly known as lesser bronze cicada, is a species of cicada that is endemic to New Zealand. This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1850.
Kikihia subalpina, commonly known as the subalpine green cicada, is a species of cicada that is endemic to New Zealand. This species was first described by George Hudson in 1891.
Maoricicada alticola, also known as the high alpine cicada, is a species of cicada that is endemic to New Zealand. This species was first described by John S. Dugdale and Charles Fleming in 1978.
Maoricicada campbelli, also known as the Campbell's cicada, is a species of cicada that is endemic to New Zealand. This species was first described by John Golding Myers in 1923 under the name Melapsalta campbelli. It was named in honour of James Wishart Campbell, who collected the first specimens of this species.
Maoricicada lindsayi, also known as the Lindsay's cicada, is a species of insect that is endemic to New Zealand. This species was first described by John Golding Myers in 1923. Myers named the species in honour of Charles Lindsay who collected the holotype specimen.
Maoricicada oromelaena, also known as the greater alpine black cicada, is a species of insect that is endemic to New Zealand. This species was first described by John Golding Myers in 1926.
Maoricicada tenuis, also known as the northern dusky cicada, is a species of insect that is endemic to New Zealand. This species was first described by John S. Dugdale and Charles Fleming in 1978.
Notopsalta sericea, also known as the clay bank cicada, is a species of insect that is endemic to New Zealand. This species was first described by Francis Walker in 1850.
Rhodopsalta microdora, also known as the little redtail cicada, is a species of insect that is endemic to New Zealand. This species was first described in 1936 by George Vernon Hudson and named Melampsalta microdora.
Monteithiella humeralis, commonly known as the pittosporum shield bug is a species of herbivorous shield bug native to Australia and introduced in New Zealand. As its common name suggests, it is most commonly observed feeding on Pittosporum plants.
Dictyotus caenosus, commonly known as the brown shield bug, is an Australian species of stink bug that has been introduced into New Zealand and New Caledonia.
Cuspicona simplex, commonly known as the green potato bug, is a herbivorous species of stink bug native to Australia and introduced to New Zealand. It feeds on nightshades, and is primarily known as a pest of potatoes, tomatoes, and other crops in the nightshade family.
