Water-strider
Guides
Aquarius remigis
common water strider
Aquarius remigis is a predatory aquatic bug known as the common water strider. Formerly classified as Gerris remigis, the species was reclassified in 1990 when Aquarius was elevated to generic rank. It inhabits freshwater surfaces across North America, with highest prevalence in the midwestern United States. Populations exhibit geographic variation in life history, with northern populations typically univoltine and southern populations showing greater plasticity in voltinism.
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
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.
Gerris argenticollis
Gerris argenticollis is a univoltine water strider species native to North America. It inhabits temporary woodland ponds and exhibits temperature-dependent activity patterns, becoming active when air temperatures exceed 12°C. The species overwinters as adults and has been successfully reared in laboratory conditions.
Gerris buenoi
water strider
Gerris buenoi is a small water strider species native to North America, first described in 1911. Adults measure 8-10 mm in length and possess elongated mid-legs adapted for locomotion on water surfaces. The species exhibits wing polymorphism, with multiple wing forms corresponding to different seasons and environmental conditions. It has been extensively studied as a model organism for sexual conflict research and was the first water strider to have its genome sequenced.
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.
Husseyella
Husseyella is a genus of small water striders in the family Veliidae, established by Herring in 1955. It belongs to the subfamily Microveliinae, a group of minute aquatic true bugs commonly known as riffle bugs or small water striders. Members of this genus inhabit aquatic environments where they skate on the water surface film. The genus is poorly known, with few documented observations and limited published biological information.
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 dissortis
Kayak Pond Skater
Limnoporus dissortis is a water strider species in the family Gerridae, distributed across western North America. It belongs to the L. dissortis species group, characterized by smaller body size relative to congeners. The species hybridizes extensively with L. notabilis in zones of sympatry across western Canada, producing complex spatial and temporal patterns of introgressive hybridization. Its eggs serve as hosts for the parasitoid wasp Tiphodytes gerriphagus.
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.
Microvelia
small water striders, riffle bugs
Microvelia is a large genus of small semiaquatic bugs comprising at least 230 described species distributed worldwide. These insects inhabit nearshore areas of stagnant or slow-flowing freshwater, where they move on the water surface using surface tension. The genus exhibits wing dimorphism, with populations containing both fully winged (macropterous) and short-winged (brachypterous) individuals. Several subgenera have been recognized including Austromicrovelia, Barbivelia, Pacificovelia, and Picaultia, based on phylogenetic and morphological analyses.
Microvelia americana
Broad-Shouldered Water Strider
Microvelia americana is a small water strider in the family Veliidae, commonly known as the Broad-Shouldered Water Strider. It inhabits aquatic environments across North America. As a member of the Gerromorpha, it is adapted to life on the water surface, using surface tension to move and forage.
Microvelia beameri
Microvelia beameri is a small water strider in the family Veliidae, described by McKinstry in 1937. The species belongs to a genus characterized by small body size and the ability to skate on water surfaces. Records indicate presence across Caribbean, Middle America, and North America. Very few observations exist in public databases, suggesting either rarity or underreporting due to its minute size.
Microvelia cerifera
Microvelia cerifera is a species of small water strider in the family Veliidae, described by McKinstry in 1937. The species belongs to the genus Microvelia, a diverse group of semiaquatic bugs commonly found on the surface film of freshwater habitats. Like other veliids, it is adapted for life on water surfaces using hydrophobic setae and specialized leg morphology. The species is known from North America.
Microvelia cubana
Microvelia cubana is a small semiaquatic true bug described from Cuba in 1951. As a member of the family Veliidae, it belongs to a group of insects commonly known as small water striders or riffle bugs. The species inhabits freshwater environments in the Caribbean region. Limited published information exists regarding its biology and ecology.
Microvelia signata
Microvelia signata is a small water strider in the family Veliidae, found in aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats across North and Middle America. Like other members of the genus Microvelia, it is adapted for life on the water surface, using surface tension to skate across ponds, streams, and other freshwater bodies. The species was described by Philip Uhler in 1894 and is recognized as a valid taxon in current classifications.
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.
Platyvelia
smaller water striders
Platyvelia is a genus of smaller water striders in the family Veliidae, established by J. Polhemus and D. Polhemus in 1993. The genus contains seven described species distributed in the Americas. These insects are small semiaquatic true bugs that inhabit the surface film of water bodies.
Platyvelia brachialis
smaller water strider
Platyvelia brachialis is a species of small water strider in the family Veliidae, distinguished from larger members of the related family Gerridae by its more compact body form. It inhabits freshwater surface habitats across a broad Neotropical and Nearctic range spanning the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. The species is one of approximately 15 recognized species in the genus Platyvelia.
Rhagovelia becki
Rhagovelia becki is a species of small water strider in the family Veliidae, described by Drake and Harris in 1936. Like other members of the genus Rhagovelia, this species is adapted to life on the water surface, utilizing the middle and hind legs for propulsion. The species has been recorded from Middle America and North America, though detailed ecological studies remain limited. It belongs to a diverse genus containing over 100 described species, many of which occupy specialized microhabitats along streams and rivers.
Rhagovelia choreutes
Rhagovelia choreutes is a species of small water strider in the family Veliidae. It belongs to the infraorder Gerromorpha, a group of semiaquatic true bugs adapted to life on the water surface. The species was described by Hussey in 1925. It occurs in running water habitats in parts of North and Central America.
Rhagovelia distincta
smaller water strider
Rhagovelia distincta is a species of smaller water strider in the family Veliidae. It inhabits freshwater surface habitats across Central America and North America. As a member of the genus Rhagovelia, it belongs to a group of semi-aquatic true bugs adapted for life on the water surface.
Rhagovelia oriander
Broad-shouldered Water Strider
Rhagovelia oriander is a species of small water strider in the family Veliidae, first described by Parshley in 1922. It belongs to a genus characterized by modified middle legs used for propulsion on water surfaces. The common name "Broad-shouldered Water Strider" refers to a distinctive morphological feature. Like other veliids, it inhabits the surface film of freshwater systems.
Rhagovelia plumbea
Rhagovelia plumbea is a species of small water strider in the family Veliidae, first described by Uhler in 1894. It is one of the most widespread members of its genus, occurring across the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. The species inhabits freshwater surface habitats where it uses the water surface tension to move.
Rhagovelia rivale
smaller water strider
Rhagovelia rivale is a species of water strider in the family Veliidae, first described by Torre-Bueno in 1924. It belongs to the genus Rhagovelia, a group of smaller water striders characterized by their ability to skate on water surfaces using modified legs. The species is documented from North America, though specific details about its ecology and distribution within that range remain limited in available sources.
Rhagovelia torreyana
Rhagovelia torreyana is a species of small water strider in the family Veliidae, described by Bacon in 1956. It belongs to the genus Rhagovelia, a diverse group of semiaquatic bugs commonly found in running water habitats. The species is known from North America, though detailed biological information remains limited in available sources. Like other members of the family Veliidae, it is adapted to life on the water surface, using surface tension to move and forage.
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.