Common Water Strider - Aquarius remigis

TL: ~15 mm. This area was full of water striders, and like this pair, most were mating. Most A. remigis adults are wingless.

Habitat: Stream and pond in a wetland

Water striders are assisted in walking on water by water-repellent hairs on their feet. They also have claws inserted up above the foot, rather than at the end of the foot. The surface of the water is like a spider's web for water striders. If any unlucky insect breaks the surface tension of the water, it sends a ripple across the surface, thus attracting these super fast insects to race over and eat the unfortunate insect.

comments (5)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Very sorry, Christine, but have to merge existing photos from Gerris remigis to Aquarius remigis, which is the new accepted name. This means you will lose the species intro, since those other photos have an older date. Posted 6 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  No problem! I was surprised it wasn't already recorded on JD! But, it was! Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Hmmm, having second thoughts now. I'm thinking most of those older photos were misidentified as this is a north American species. I was probably wrong to merge them like this, but it would also be wrong to leave them on their old name.
    
    Will come back to this later, or perhaps ask Arp to shine a light on it. Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Good idea. Try comparing yours to Gerris lacustris. Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Thanks, re-mapped the European observations to that one. The confusion is somewhat understandable, all of these share the same common name:
        - Old US species name
        - New US species name
        - Gerris lacustris Posted 6 years ago

The Common Water Strider

"Aquarius remigis", known as the common water strider, is a species of aquatic bug. "Aquarius remigis" is found throughout North America, but is most prevalent in the mid-west of the United States.

Info 3 0

Similar species: True Bugs

Species identified by Christine Young