Water striders, also known as pond skaters or water spiders, are unique insects known for their ability to glide gracefully across the surface of the water. They take advantage of the water’s surface tension and rely on their water-repellent legs to stay afloat. As fascinating as they are, one might wonder if they have the ability to fly.
Despite their resemblance to big mosquitoes or spiders, water striders belong to the family Gerridae, and they indeed have wings. While not all species of water striders have the same capabilities, many of them can take to the air. This ability allows them to escape predators, cover greater distances, and find new mating opportunities.
Basic Characteristics of Water Striders
Physical Appearance
Water striders are unique insects with:
- Long, slender legs
- Velvety hair on their bodies
- Water-repellent hairs on hind and middle legs
These adaptations allow them to effectively skate on the water’s surface.
Habitat
Water striders can typically be found in:
- Freshwater habitats
- Ponds
- Lakes
They belong to the Gerridae family and are also known as pond skaters. Their range includes various regions across North America.
Diet and Prey
As carnivorous insects, water striders feed on:
- Small invertebrates
- Insects caught on the water’s surface
They use their shorter front legs to grab prey while skimming the water surface with their second and third set of legs.
Comparison Table: Water Striders and Pond Skaters
| Feature | Water Striders | Pond Skaters |
|---|---|---|
| Legs | Long, slender, water-repellent | Long, slender, water-repellent |
| Habitat | Freshwater, ponds, lakes | Freshwater, ponds, lakes |
| Diet | Small invertebrates, insects | Small invertebrates, insects |
| Family | Gerridae | Gerridae |
Water Striders’ Unique Abilities
Walking on Water
Water striders are fascinating insects due to their ability to walk on water. They achieve this through water-repellent hairs on their hind and middle legs, which enable them to skate on the water’s surface without sinking1.
Impact on Surface Tension
Their legs are long and slender, distributing the weight of their body over a large surface area2. This helps maintain surface tension and allows water striders to stay afloat. Here’s a comparison of how their legs impact surface tension:
| Legs Characteristics | Effect on Surface Tension |
|---|---|
| Long and slender legs | Maintains surface tension |
| Flexible legs | Adapts to water movement |
Swimming and Sailing Abilities
- Able to hop off the water’s surface3
- Many species can fly
- Breathe through openings in their body
Although water striders can move effortlessly on water, they are not known to swim. Their unique features mentioned above allow them to navigate the water surface without the need for swimming. They can sail across the water using their legs and water surface interactions4.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Mating and Courtship
Water striders exhibit a fascinating mating behavior, where males actively pursue females to mate. During courtship, the male water strider carefully approaches the female and initiates contact by lightly tapping on her back legs. Some species also use vibrations on the water surface for communication.
Eggs and Larvae Development
Water strider females lay their eggs on plants near or on the water surface. Eggs are often hidden between plant leaves or on stems, providing them with some degree of protection against predators. The larvae that hatch from these eggs resemble small versions of adult water striders.
- Eggs: Attached to plants near water
- Larvae: Resemble small adults
Life Cycle Stages
The water strider’s life cycle consists of egg, larval, nymph, and adult stages. Let’s compare these stages in the table below:
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Egg | Laid on plants, near or on water surface |
| Larval | Resemble small adults, begin feeding |
| Nymph | Similar to adults, molt and grow |
| Adult | Reproduce and continue life cycle |
As larvae develop, they molt and grow through several nymph stages before reaching adulthood. Adult water striders can live for a few months and are excellent hunters, preying on various insects and larvae that fall into the water. They must also watch out for predators like birds, which can snatch them off the water’s surface.
Predators and Survival Mechanisms
Natural Predators
Water striders face various predators in their aquatic environments:
- Fish: Many fish species are known to consume water striders.
- Frogs: Amphibians like frogs consider them as a potential meal.
- Birds: Aerial predators, such as birds, also target water striders.
- Turtles: Reptiles, like turtles, are known to prey on these insects.
Adaptations for Survival
Water striders possess unique adaptations to help them evade predators and survive in their habitats.
- Quick Movement: They can quickly skate on the water surface, escaping danger.
- Camouflage: Their coloration allows them to blend in with the surrounding water.
- Lightweight Bodies: Water striders maintain surface tension by distributing weight evenly on their hydrophobic legs.
A comparison of water striders’ prey and their survival adaptations:
| Prey Consumed | Survival Adaptations |
|---|---|
| Mosquito larvae | Quick Movement |
| Land insects & spiders on surface | Camouflage |
| Lightweight Bodies (hydrophobic legs) |
These adaptations help water striders to not only escape predators, but also to hunt their preferred prey, such as mosquito larvae. The quick movement they exhibit on the water surface helps them effectively detect struggling prey, contributing to their success as predators.
Amazing Facts and Discoveries
Hydrophobic Properties
Water striders, also known as water skippers, jesus bugs, and water skeeters, have unique adaptations allowing them to effortlessly glide on water surfaces. Their legs have hydrofuge hairpiles that repel water, providing them the buoyancy needed to stay afloat. These microscopic hairs covering their thorax, abdomen, and appendages are crucial for survival.
Interaction with Water Molecules
To “walk” on water, water striders spread their weight over a large surface area using their long, slender legs. The interaction with water molecules ensures that they maintain their buoyancy. When sensing vibrations in the water, they can quickly move towards their prey or away from predators.
Comparison Table:
| Water Strider Characteristics | Other Aquatic Insects |
|---|---|
| Hydrophobic hairs | No hydrophobic hairs |
| Walk on water | Efficient swimmers |
| Use vibrations for navigation | Rely on vision, chemical signals |
Crucial Role in Aquatic Ecology
Water striders play a vital role in the ecology of marshes, creeks, mud puddles, vernal pools, and even puddles. Their presence indicates a healthy water ecosystem. One of their significant ecological contributions is controlling mosquito larvae and insect populations.
Footnotes
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The hemipteran family Gerridae includes a subfamily (Halobatinae) of marine insects called Sea Skaters, mostly in the genus Halobates. They are widely distributed in the tropical oceans of the world. Five species in this genus have become fully adapted to living on the open ocean (pelagic), but most are restricted to sheltered nearshore areas and have much more limited ranges. The latter group includes the species H. hawaiiensis that is limited to the Central Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii. All species are wingless and appear quite similar. I wasn’t able to locate an image of H. hawaiiensis, but Dreamybee’s photo looks very similar to H. germanus (http://namamonoblog.jugem.jp/?eid=197), a pelagic species from the Indian and West Pacific oceans. There is a very detailed description of the genus and H. hawaiiensis in a document that can be downloaded at: http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/pi/pdf/3(2)-223-305.pdf
I tried sending photos to the Bishop Museum and no one ever returned my emails…
Sorry to hear that. Sometimes organizations with paid employees are not as efficient as volunteer organizations.
a real interesting aspect to these bugs is that they like to congregate in the foot print of a passing human. I don’t know whether they are schlurping up human foot oil or maybe the shape of a foot print gives them enough protection from the wind that they can stay in the foot print and nibble on other things… they move very quickly and jump/bounce around a lot.. I have a photo on my FB page right now
Are you sure these aren’t Veliidae? https://bugguide.net/node/view/26281
They look more like Veliidae – Riffle Bugs (hind femur not longer than abdomen) than typical water striders – Gerridae. Even Gerridae nymphs have hind femurs longer than their abdomen. Veliidae adults are very tiny (as in the size of a small freckle) and many are wingless as adults.
Thanks for drawing this to our attention. You may be correct.
Are you sure these aren’t Veliidae? https://bugguide.net/node/view/26281
They look more like Veliidae – Riffle Bugs (hind femur not longer than abdomen) than typical water striders – Gerridae. Even Gerridae nymphs have hind femurs longer than their abdomen. Veliidae adults are very tiny (as in the size of a small freckle) and many are wingless as adults.