# North American Common Water Strider (*Aquarius remigis*) The North American Common Water Strider is a fun insect that skims across the water's surface. They have long legs that help them walk on water without sinking! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 18 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![North American Common Water Strider](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Water_strider_G_remigis.jpg&width=800) Photo: Bruce J. Marlin, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Water_strider_G_remigis.jpg) ## Appearance The North American Common Water Strider is a slender, dark brown to black insect with very long, thin legs. Its body is elongated and often has a velvety sheen. What makes it visually different are its extremely long middle and hind legs, which splay out to distribute its weight, allowing it to "skate" effortlessly on the water's surface. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hemiptera - **Family:** Gerridae - **Genus:** Aquarius ## Interesting facts - Some can grow wings and fly to new ponds if their home dries up! - They clean their super-special legs as carefully as a cat cleans its whiskers! - They use their middle legs like oars to zip across the water super fast! - Water striders talk to each other by tapping special patterns on the water! ## Special abilities - **Water Walker:** North American Common Water Striders can walk and glide on water because their specially-coated legs repel water, creating dimples in the surface tension that support their weight. - **Vibration Hunter:** North American Common Water Striders can detect prey using sensitive hairs on their legs that sense tiny ripples and vibrations on the water's surface, helping them locate food. - **Skater's Speed:** North American Common Water Striders can move swiftly across the water using their middle legs like oars to propel themselves, reaching speeds impressive for their size. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 8-18 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These bug hunters eat small insects that fall onto the water's surface. - **Age differences:** Nymphs (young) eat smaller versions of the same insects as adults. - **Primary Foods:** mosquitoes, flies, aphids, small terrestrial insects - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Mosquitofish (*Gambusia affinis*) — Fish like mosquitofish will prey on water striders. - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — Frogs often snatch water striders from the surface. - **Hunts:** [Yellow Fever Mosquito](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-fever-mosquito) (*Aedes aegypti*) — They ambush mosquito adults or larvae that fall into the water. - **Hunts:** Non-biting Midge (*Chironomus riparius*) — They prey on midges and other small insects that land on water. ## Traits - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch where you step near water to keep safe from slipping. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify North American Common Water Strider? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How big is North American Common Water Strider? 8-18 mm ### How long does North American Common Water Strider live? 30-90 days ### What does North American Common Water Strider eat? These bug hunters eat small insects that fall onto the water's surface. ### Where is North American Common Water Strider usually found? Wetlands ### How does North American Common Water Strider hunt? Ambush ### How many legs does North American Common Water Strider have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Childs-Irving Hydroelectric Facilities](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/childs-irving-hydroelectric-facilities) — Arizona, US · Historic District - [Conejo Valley Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/conejo-valley-botanical-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Dead Run Stream Valley Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dead-run-stream-valley-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dubuque-arboretum-and-botanical-gardens) — Iowa, US · Botanical Garden - [Hakone Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hakone-gardens) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Sabino Canyon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sabino-canyon) — Arizona, US · Natural Landmark [View all places to see North American Common Water Strider](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/north-american-common-water-strider) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [North American Common Water Strider Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/north-american-common-water-strider)