Water Striders

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The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Water Striders

several families (Gerridae, Hydrometridae and others) of aquatic bugs of the order Heteroptera. Water striders are small insects (from 2 to 34 mm) with delicate, elongated bodies and long legs. They skim rapidly or walk easily over the water’s surface (hence the name).

Water striders are often wingless, and the lower surface of their bodies is covered with a velvety down. There are about 600 widely distributed species. Species of the genus Halo-bates and others similar to it are found in the tropical regions of oceans. In Europe the common species of water striders are from the genera Gerris and Hydrometra. In the fresh waters of the USSR, Gerris lacustris is the most common species. Water striders are predators, and they also suck the corpses of animals. Freshwater striders lay their eggs on aquatic plants; sea striders carry them on their bodies.

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References in periodicals archive ?

An experimental study on the effects of predation risk and feeding regime on the mating behavior of the water strider. American Naturalist 135:284-290.

MOBILITY COST OF COPULATION IS INDEPENDENT OF FEMALE:MALE SIZE RATIO IN ANASA TRISTIS

A classic demonstration of group-level effect comes from the leggy Aquarius remigis water striders that skim over the surface of ponds and streams throughout much of North America.

Mixed results: having the right blend of animal personalities can make or break a group

Mitochondrial introgression is restricted relative to nuclear markers in a water strider (Hemiptera: Gerridae) hybrid zone.

What do we know about the phylogeny of the semi-aquatic bugs (Hemiptera: heteroptera: gerromorpha)?

(27.) Shi, F, Niu, J, Liu, J, Liu, F, Wang, Z, Feng, X, Zhang, X, "Towards Understanding Why a Superhydrophobic Coating is Needed by Water Striders." Adv.

Preparation of a superamphiphobic surface on a common cast iron substrate

Like the eyes of moths, legs of water striders, and leaves of the lotus plant, the cicada wings have natural microstructures.

Coatings xperience: a different view of natural

We could try to catch some food for the water strider.

The case of the water walker: this month, learn about surface tension

Trying to get all he knows into print means that the author sometimes skips over the surface like a water strider instead of diving deep and exploring the layers.

Hiyo, Flicka! A canter through equine history with a rancher's grandson

Some insects, like the water strider, can actually walk on water because their weight doesn't break through this skin of surface tension.

Nature's magician

"Do make waves" might be the motto of the ever-amorous water strider, which lives not in water but on it, and communicates with significant others by sending wavelets of telltale frequencies rippling through the surface film.

A sampler of summer's other bugs. (mother's nature)

In some water strider species, males have the advantage and are able to mate often.

Battle of the Sexes

Water strider - Frequently the first aquatic macroinvertebrate encountered by the casual observer.

LIFE in a freshwater stream

Predation risk, food deprivation and non-random mating by size in the stream water strider Aquarius remigis.