Habitat
Adults: aquatic
Immatures: aquatic

Feeding Habits
Adults: predaceous
Immatures: predaceous

North American
Species: 19 in Canada

Hemiptera Gerridae
Water striders

Special Characteristics: Water striders are long, narrow dark coloured insects. Both winged and wingless adults occur. The front legs are short and used to capture food. The middle and hind legs are long and used for locomotion. The tarsi are covered with small, specialized, fine hairs.

Comments: Water striders are predaceous and feed on insects that fall onto the water surface. They are common on quiet water in small coves or protected areas. They are restricted to fresh water except for one genus that lives on the surface of the ocean. The tarsal structure enables a water strider to skate on the surface of the water. If the tarsi become wet the insect cannot stay on the surface of the water and will drown unless it can crawl up on a dry surface. Water striders can jump a considerable distance both on land and on water.

Species:
Gerris comatus

Common Name:

Distribution: