Insect · GBIF taxon 5154117
North American Common Water Strider
Aquarius remigisAlso known as Common Water Strider, Pond Skater, Water Skipper, Jesus Bug
Common water striders glide across calm streams and slow-moving rivers using hydrophobic leg hairs that trap air and prevent them from breaking the surface film. They detect subtle ripples through their feet to locate struggling insects trapped on the water, quickly darting over to capture prey with sharp mouthparts. Adults overwinter under leaf litter along stream banks before emerging in spring to mate and deposit eggs on submerged plant stems.
AquaticPredatorySurface Dweller
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Mosquito Larvae
- Fallen Insects
- Midges
Predators
- Fish
- Frogs
- Water Birds
ThreatsWater pollution, severe drought, habitat degradation
HabitatsStreams, rivers, ponds, and calm lake margins
Life span1–2 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderHemiptera
- FamilyGerridae
- GenusAquarius
- SpeciesAquarius remigis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Watch calm stream pools where light casts distinct leg-shadow dimples on the stream bed.
- Disturbance: Avoid sudden movements or casting sharp shadows, which trigger rapid escape skitters.
Co-occurring Insect 
Competitor (c) Dan MacNeal, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Dan MacNeal · cc-by
Aquatic Relative no rights reserved · cc0
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