are predatory insects which rely on surface tension to walk on top of water. They live on the surface of ponds, slow streams, marshes, and other quiet waters. There they hunt for insects and other small invertebrates on top of or directly below surface using their strong forelegs which end with claws. They can move very quickly, up to 1.5 m/s. They paddle forward with the middle pair of their legs, using fore- and hind legs as a rudder. Like all insects, the water striders have a three-part body (head, thorax and abdomen), six jointed legs, and two antennae. It has a long, dark, narrow body. Some water striders have wings, others do not. Most water striders are over 0.2 inch (5 mm) long.
Fun Facts and Trivia about Water Striders:
Water strider, sometimes called Jesus bug or pond skater. Water striders live on the surface of ponds, slow streams, marshes, and other quiet waters.
Aside from a force called surface tension that pulls on the water’s surface creating a very thin stretchy layer on the top, water striders have tiny hairs on their legs that allow them to walk on water without sinking. All six of the water strider’s legs are covered with thousands of microscopic hairs that trap air, making the legs waterproof and thus increasing its legs’ water resistance and its overall buoyancy allowing it to simply float and travel on water surfaces.
The water strider has six legs like all insects. This bug holds its short, front legs up under its head. It moves along on its two middle legs and uses its two back legs to steer. The water strider's body never touches the water!
In the case of the water strider, it has splayed legs and water-repellent hairs all over these legs. This also keeps it from sinking. A water strider cannot swim!
The leg tarsi are covered with fine hairs (hair like setae) that are difficult to wet.
Water striders feed on live and dead insects (insectivorous) and other aquatic organisms. Special vibration sensing hairs on their legs help them find insects rustling in vain, trapped by the surface tension of the water. The front legs of water striders are short, modified for grasping and used strictly for capturing prey. Some are aquatic (water) insects, such as mosquito larvae coming up from the bottom, and others are terrestrial (land) insects, such as butterflies or beetles that accidentally land on the surface. Injured dragonflies are a favorite food, as are worms that fall in the water. Water striders have a sharp mouthpart, called a rostrum, to suck up body juices from prey.
The water strider dose not bite humans.
Water Striders grow 1/4 - 1/2 inch long with narrow body; body covered with hairs and dark brown or black in color.
The short front legs of a water strider are for grabbing prey. The middle legs push the insect forward, and the hind legs steer. The shape of their legs and their light weight keep them from breaking through the surface.
Common Water Striders have very good vision and move quickly on the water.
In breeding season, water striders communicate by sending ripples to each other on the surface of the water. Females lay eggs at the water's edge, usually on plant stems. When eggs hatch, nymphs (baby striders) must grow for over a month before they become adult water striders. Water Striders must always keep moving to so they don't become prey themselves to fish or other predators. These insects do not have wings. They are usually in large groups and prefer the protection of overhanging trees and shade. Common Water Striders can live for many months, and adults can overwinter. They can crawl inside a plant stem when it gets too cold.
Predators of the water strider, like birds and fish, take advantage of the fact that water striders cannot detect motion above or below the water's surface.
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Information, facts and trivia are collected and brought to you by PetStreetMall.com, your one stop online pet supplies and needs store like heated pet beds for winter season.
Water strider, sometimes called Jesus bug or pond skater. Water striders live on the surface of ponds, slow streams, marshes, and other quiet waters.
Aside from a force called surface tension that pulls on the water’s surface creating a very thin stretchy layer on the top, water striders have tiny hairs on their legs that allow them to walk on water without sinking. All six of the water strider’s legs are covered with thousands of microscopic hairs that trap air, making the legs waterproof and thus increasing its legs’ water resistance and its overall buoyancy allowing it to simply float and travel on water surfaces.
The water strider has six legs like all insects. This bug holds its short, front legs up under its head. It moves along on its two middle legs and uses its two back legs to steer. The water strider's body never touches the water!
In the case of the water strider, it has splayed legs and water-repellent hairs all over these legs. This also keeps it from sinking. A water strider cannot swim!The leg tarsi are covered with fine hairs (hair like setae) that are difficult to wet.
Water striders feed on live and dead insects (insectivorous) and other aquatic organisms. Special vibration sensing hairs on their legs help them find insects rustling in vain, trapped by the surface tension of the water. The front legs of water striders are short, modified for grasping and used strictly for capturing prey. Some are aquatic (water) insects, such as mosquito larvae coming up from the bottom, and others are terrestrial (land) insects, such as butterflies or beetles that accidentally land on the surface. Injured dragonflies are a favorite food, as are worms that fall in the water. Water striders have a sharp mouthpart, called a rostrum, to suck up body juices from prey.
The water strider dose not bite humans.
Water Striders grow 1/4 - 1/2 inch long with narrow body; body covered with hairs and dark brown or black in color.
The short front legs of a water strider are for grabbing prey. The middle legs push the insect forward, and the hind legs steer. The shape of their legs and their light weight keep them from breaking through the surface.
Common Water Striders have very good vision and move quickly on the water.
In breeding season, water striders communicate by sending ripples to each other on the surface of the water. Females lay eggs at the water's edge, usually on plant stems. When eggs hatch, nymphs (baby striders) must grow for over a month before they become adult water striders. Water Striders must always keep moving to so they don't become prey themselves to fish or other predators. These insects do not have wings. They are usually in large groups and prefer the protection of overhanging trees and shade. Common Water Striders can live for many months, and adults can overwinter. They can crawl inside a plant stem when it gets too cold.
Predators of the water strider, like birds and fish, take advantage of the fact that water striders cannot detect motion above or below the water's surface.
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Information, facts and trivia are collected and brought to you by PetStreetMall.com, your one stop online pet supplies and needs store like heated pet beds for winter season.
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