A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Aquarius cf. najas
Water striders on a leaf raft. Gerridae is a family of true bugs in the order Hemiptera. 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. 90% of Gerridae are freshwater bugs. Only internal genitalia differences can tell a member of the Gerridae apart from a member of the Veliidae, so it is almost impossible to tell a member of the Gerridae apart from a member of the Veliidae by external visual cues. Family Gerridae are physically characterized by having hydrofuge hairpiles, retractable preapical claws, and elongated legs and body. Water striders have two antennae with four segments on each. Water striders use the high surface tension of water and long, hydrophobic legs to help them stay above water. The thorax of water striders is generally long, narrow, and small in size. Some water striders have wings present on the dorsal side of their thorax
Mountain river pond.
Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/250 sec.; f/8; ISO Speed Rating: 800. Exposure Bias: 0 EV. Focal Length: 300.0 mm. No flash fired
Spotted on Aug 19, 2014
Submitted on Nov 12, 2014
4 Comments
Thanks Daniele !
lol Mark! That Zapatero could certainly walk on fire :-) Great shots arlanda!
I cannot say, Mark. Sometimes he looked as if he was levitating ;)
In spanish zapatero means shoemaker but I do not see the connection with a water strider. I have to investigate !!!
I like the Spanish name - can José Luis Rodríguez walk on water? :)