pond-skater

Surface tension insect

A pond-skater is an insect that walks on the surface of still water, its weight distributed across long legs that dimple but don't break the surface tension.

Also called a water strider.

The name extends to anything that moves lightly across a surface without penetrating it: His attention was pond-skater shallow, never settling on anything for long.

surface-tension

meniscus

Curved liquid surface

hydrophobicRepels aqueous substances
dimplesSmall facial indentations
water-repellentResisting water penetration

buoyancy · capillary · floatation · tarsi

insect

Hemiptera

True bug order

bugCrawling creature or defect
arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
six-leggedHaving half-dozen appendages

antennae · exoskeleton · invertebrate · predator · aquatic · freshwater · entomology · species · adaptation · nymph

locomotion

skimming

Passing lightly over

glidingEngineless aerial movement
dartingMoving suddenly, swiftly
stridingWalking with long steps

nimble · swift · agile · fleet-footed · light-footed · maneuverable · quick · responsive · rowing · propulsion

habitat

stream

Steady continuous flow

lakeEnclosed body of freshwater
marshGrassy waterlogged lowland
wetlandWaterlogged land ecosystem

puddle · ditch · bog · freshwater · riparian · littoral · vegetation · duckweed · backwater · slow-moving

anatomy

legs

Locomotion appendages below torso

tarsiAnkle bone clusters
bodyPhysical structure, living thing
thoraxCentral body cavity

abdomen · wings · hairs · claws · setae · cuticle · segments · forelegs · hindlegs · waterproof

Opposites

aquatic locomotion strategy

pond-skaterdiving beetle

Predatory aquatic insect

water boatman · backswimmer · swimmer · diver · dragonfly nymph

habitat medium

pond-skaterground beetle

Predatory insect on soil

mole cricket · ant · land · ground · dung beetle

Family

pond, skater, ponds, skate, skates, skated, skating

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G