Surface-tension
Guides
Gerridae
water striders, water bugs, pond skaters, water skippers, Jesus bugs, water skeeters, water scooters, water gliders, water skimmers, puddle flies
Gerridae are a family of true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) renowned for their ability to walk on water. They possess hydrofuge hairpiles covering the body and specialized leg structures that exploit water surface tension. Most species inhabit freshwater, though the genus Halobates is exceptional as the only truly oceanic insect, living on open ocean surfaces. Over 1,700 species have been described, with body lengths ranging from 2–36 mm. They are predatory, feeding on surface-trapped invertebrates.
Gerris
water striders
Gerris is a genus of water striders (family Gerridae) comprising 43 species in three subgenera (Gerris, Gerriselloides, and Macrogerris). Species in this genus inhabit freshwater surfaces across temperate regions, where they use surface tension to walk on water. The genus has become a model system for studying sexual conflict, with well-documented antagonistic coevolution between males and females over mating control.