Water Strider

Description:

One main characteristic that sets gerrids and other true bugs apart from other insects is that the front wing is only half functional. Rather than using it for flight, it acts as a membranous covering and the thickened part is by where claws develop. Consistent with the classification of Gerridae as true bugs, gerrids have a mouthpart evolved for piercing and sucking, gerrids distinguish themselves by having the unique ability to walk on water. Gerridae, or water striders, are anatomically built to transfer their weight to be able to run on top of the water's surface. As a result, one could likely find water striders present in any pond, river, or lake. Scientists have identified over 1,700 species of gerrids, 10% of them being marine.

Habitat:

Gerridae generally inhabit surfaces of calm waters. The majority of water striders inhabit freshwater areas, with the exception of Halobates. Gerridae prefer an environment abundant with insects or zooplankton and one that contains several rocks or plants to oviposit eggs on. It has been studied by prevalence of water striders in varying environments, that water striders most prefer waters around 25 degrees Celsius. Any water temperature lower than 22 degrees Celsius is unfavorable. This is likely due to the fact that development rates of young are temperature dependent. The cooler the surrounding waters, the slower the development of the young is. Prominent genera Gerridae are present in Wales, the former U.S.S.R., Canada, U.S.A., S. Africa, S. America, Australia, China and Malaysia. None have been yet identified in New Zealand waters.