Surface-skater
Guides
Hydrophorus aestuum
Hydrophorus aestuum is a species of long-legged fly in the family Dolichopodidae. Like other members of the genus Hydrophorus, it is adapted to semi-aquatic environments where it skates across water surfaces. The species was described by Loew in 1869. Adults are predatory on small insects and other invertebrates, including mosquito larvae.
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.
Microvelia buenoi
smaller water strider
Microvelia buenoi is a small semiaquatic bug in the family Veliidae, commonly known as smaller water striders. The species was described by Drake in 1920 and occurs across a broad transcontinental range spanning Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America. Like other members of the genus Microvelia, it inhabits the surface film of freshwater habitats where it moves with characteristic rapid, darting movements. The specific epithet honors entomologist Erika Bueno's family name, though this appears coincidental rather than commemorative.