A Water Strider (from the family Gerridae) keeps afloat in a small creek
Water Striders
- Published: June 7, 2011
This week’s featured wildlife are a unique little bug: the water strider. This gravity-defying insect gets its name from its uncanny ability to skirt across the surface of ponds and lakes. It has long, thin legs that distribute its weight (which isn’t much), so that it’s able to not break the water’s surface tension.
Water striders can be found flitting about must bodies of water with a calm surface. They won’t stick around to let you oggle them for long though, for they are notoriously skittish. The beginning of summer is a fine time to enjoy the little aesthetic garnish these bugs add to any aquatic scenery.
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beautiful picture!