A water strider , Gerris sp. Photo by Drees. A water strider , Gerris sp. Photo by Drees.
Water striders are long-legged and slender although some species have more robust bodies.
Adults may be winged or wingless. Part of their hind legs, the femora , are usually very long. They are gregarious, feed on small insects and occur near the in streams and ponds. Immatures and adults share the same habitat. Water striders capture live or dead insects from the water surface.