Gerridae
Guides
Gerrinae
Typical Water Striders
Gerrinae is a subfamily of water striders (Gerridae) comprising thirteen extant genera in two tribes, plus three fossil genera. Members are characterized by long, slender bodies and hydrophobic leg microhairs that enable locomotion on water surfaces. The subfamily includes some of the best-known gerrid species and the largest water strider, Gigantometra gigas. Gerrinae species inhabit inland freshwaters and some brackish environments, with documented adaptations to different flow regimes.
Gerris marginatus
pond water strider
Gerris marginatus is a species of water strider in the family Gerridae, inhabiting ponds across a broad geographic range spanning Central America, North America, and South America. Research has demonstrated that predation risk, particularly from adult backswimmers (Notonecta undulata), profoundly influences its behavior, reducing mating activity, general activity, and feeding activity while increasing refuge use. Surprisingly, food availability has not been shown to significantly affect these behavioral patterns.
Halobates sericeus
Pacific pelagic water strider, Silvery Sea Skater
Halobates sericeus is an oceanic sea skater in the family Gerridae, one of the few insects adapted to life on the open sea. It inhabits pelagic marine environments across the Pacific Ocean and adjacent regions. The species exhibits photoperiod-dependent aggregation behavior, with adults and late-instar larvae forming more frequent and longer-lasting groups under short-day conditions compared to long-day conditions.
Limnoporus
pondskaters
Limnoporus is a Holarctic genus of water striders (family Gerridae) comprising six extant species and one extinct species known from fossils. Species occur across northern North America and Eurasia, with notable hybridization between sympatric species in western Canada. The genus exhibits variation in body size, wing polymorphism, and habitat preferences that have been studied in phylogenetic and evolutionary contexts.
Limnoporus canaliculatus
water strider
Limnoporus canaliculatus is a species of water strider in the family Gerridae, distributed across North America. It inhabits freshwater environments where it uses surface tension to skate on water. The species was originally described as Gerris canaliculatus by Thomas Say in 1832 and later transferred to the genus Limnoporus. Like other gerrids, it is predatory, capturing small arthropods that fall onto the water surface.
Limnoporus notabilis
Limnoporus notabilis is a species of water strider in the family Gerridae, occurring across North America. As a member of the genus Limnoporus, it inhabits freshwater surface habitats where it moves via surface tension. The species has been documented in 863 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is relatively well-observed among North American water striders.
Metrobates anomalus
Metrobates anomalus is a water strider species in the family Gerridae, described by Hussey in 1948. It belongs to the genus Metrobates, a group of semiaquatic bugs known for their ability to walk on water surfaces using hydrophobic leg adaptations. The species is part of the subfamily Trepobatinae and tribe Metrobatini, which are primarily associated with running water habitats. Very little specific biological information is documented for this particular species.
Metrobates artus
Metrobates artus is a water strider species in the family Gerridae, first described by Anderson in 1932. It belongs to the subfamily Trepobatinae, a group of gerrids adapted to life on flowing water surfaces. The genus Metrobates is primarily Nearctic in distribution. This species has been recorded from both Middle America and North America.
Metrobates hesperius
Metrobates hesperius is a water strider (family Gerridae) distributed across eastern North America and the Caribbean. It belongs to the subfamily Trepobatinae, a group of semiaquatic bugs that inhabit flowing water habitats. The species was described by Uhler in 1871 and includes three recognized subspecies with distinct geographic distributions.
Neogerris
Neogerris is a genus of water striders in the family Gerridae, established by Matsumura in 1913. The genus comprises approximately 13 described species distributed primarily in the Americas. These insects are adapted to life on the water surface, using their elongated middle and hind legs to skate across ponds, streams, and other freshwater habitats.
Neogerris hesione
Neogerris hesione is a water strider species in the family Gerridae. It inhabits freshwater surfaces across tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. The species is well-documented with over 1,300 observations on iNaturalist.
Rheumatobates hungerfordi
Rheumatobates hungerfordi is a species of water strider in the family Gerridae, first described by Wiley in 1923. It belongs to the subfamily Rhagodotarsinae, a group characterized by specialized adaptations for life on the water surface. The genus Rheumatobates is distinguished by modified leg structures, particularly in males, used in mating displays and locomotion on water. This species occurs in freshwater habitats across parts of North and Middle America.
Rheumatobates minutus
Rheumatobates minutus is a small water strider (family Gerridae) described by Hungerford in 1936. It belongs to the subfamily Rhagodotarsinae, a group of marine and estuarine water striders adapted to life on the water surface. The species has been recorded across the Caribbean, Middle America, North America, and South America, indicating a broad Neotropical and Nearctic distribution. As with other members of its genus, it likely inhabits coastal marine environments and estuaries rather than freshwater habitats.
Rheumatobates tenuipes
Rheumatobates tenuipes is a water strider in the family Gerridae, first described by Meinert in 1895. It belongs to the subfamily Rhagodotarsinae, a group characterized by specialized adaptations for life on the water surface. The species occurs in North and Middle America. Like other gerrids, it occupies the air-water interface, exploiting surface tension to move and forage.
Trepobates becki
Trepobates becki is a species of water strider in the family Gerridae. It inhabits freshwater surface habitats in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species was described by Drake & Harris in 1932. Like other members of the genus Trepobates, it is adapted to life on the water surface.
Trepobates floridensis
Trepobates floridensis is a species of water strider in the family Gerridae, first described by Drake & Harris in 1928. It is endemic to the southeastern United States, with a range extending throughout Florida into southern Georgia and west to Mississippi. As a member of the subfamily Trepobatinae, it inhabits freshwater surface habitats where it uses surface tension to locomote and forage.
Trepobates pictus
Trepobates pictus is a species of water strider in the family Gerridae, first described by Herrich-Schaeffer in 1847. It is distributed across eastern North America from Texas to Florida, extending northward to Illinois, Maine, and Ontario, as well as the Caribbean and South America. The species inhabits freshwater surface habitats where it utilizes the water surface tension to move and forage.
Trepobates taylori
Trepobates taylori is a water strider species in the family Gerridae, characterized by its broad Neotropical distribution spanning from southern Texas through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America to northern Argentina. The species was described by Kirkaldy in 1899 and belongs to the subfamily Trepobatinae, a group of gerrids adapted to life on the water surface.
Trepobatinae
small waterstriders
Trepobatinae is a subfamily of small waterstriders (Gerridae) established by Matsuda in 1960. The group has undergone extensive radiation on New Guinea and surrounding archipelagos, with particularly high diversity in Melanesia. Four tribes are currently recognized: Metrobatini, Naboandelini, Stenobatini, and Trepobatini. The subfamily includes both freshwater and marine forms, with marine species concentrated in the New Guinea region.