Gerrinae
Gerrinae
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hemiptera
- Suborder: Heteroptera
- Infraorder: Gerromorpha
- Superfamily: Gerroidea
- Family: Gerridae
- Subfamily: Gerrinae
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Gerrinae: /ˈɡɛrɪnaɪ/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Gerrinae is a subfamily of water striders, which includes the largest and most well-known group of Gerridae. They are distinguished by their ability to walk on water and their slender bodies.
Physical Characteristics
Long slender bodies characterized by having two antennae, a narrow thorax, and six appendages. Juvenile lengths are 1-13 mm, widths 0.5-3 mm; Adult lengths are 4-17 mm, widths 1-4 mm.
Identification Tips
Look for their ability to walk on water due to hydrophobic microhairs; they share similar sizes with Cylindrostethinae and Ptilomerinae subfamilies.
Habitat
Prefers slow-moving ponds and streams, commonly found in marine and inland waters.
Distribution
Commonly found throughout the Americas, Europe, and temperate Asia.
Diet
Their diet consists mainly of smaller insects, targeting those that are helplessly stuck in water. Instances of cannibalism occur during food shortages.
Similar Taxa
- Cylindrostethinae
- Ptilomerinae
Tags
- Gerrinae
- water striders
- Gerridae
- insects
- hemiptera