Identification
These water striders are about 1/2 inch long (12 mm) not including their long legs. They are dark brown to black in color. The length and proportions of certain body parts are used to identify these insects. Based on these images, the volunteer experts at BugGuide were able to help identify this one to an Aquarius remigis, the most common of this genus in North America.
Water striders are quite common in the still, shallow creeks and seeps of Fontenelle Forest, and presumably Neale Woods as well. They may be seen in the creeks emptying out of Handsome, Mormon and Mill Hollows. They are usually found in groups, hunting for small live or dead aquatic arthropods. They can “walk on water” due to the tiny hairs on the undersides of parts of their legs.
Common water striders are found throughout North America. They are predatory on mosquito larvae and other small aquatic insects. They use their front legs to capture prey. They use their sharp rostrum or beak to suck bodily fluid out of their prey. They are predated by fish, frogs and fishing spiders (Dolomedes sp.).
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Loren Padelford.