waterstrider

Surface tension walker

A waterstrider is an insect that skates across the surface of ponds and streams, supported by surface tension.

Its long, splayed legs distribute weight so finely that it dimples the water without breaking through.

Also called water strider, pond skater, or Jesus bug—the last for its ability to walk on water.

insect

pond skater

Aquatic bug on surface

arthropodJointed-limb invertebrate phylum
bugCrawling creature or defect
invertebrateAnimal sans backbone

exoskeleton · antennae · compound eyes · six-legged · predator · entomology · species · aquatic insect

surface

surface tension

Cohesive force at liquid interfaces

hydrophobicRepels aqueous substances
meniscusCurved liquid surface
dimplesSmall facial indentations

ripples · buoyancy · capillary · microstructure · weight distribution

locomotion

glide

Move with effortless continuity

skimPass over lightly
dartHandheld pointed projectile
skateGliding boot or flatfish

float · scoot · drift · paddle · scurry · flit · hover · sprint · dimple

ecology

predator

Organism that consumes others

preyAnimal being hunted
minnowsTiny freshwater fish
dragonfliesLarge hovering predatory insects

frogs · ecosystem · food web · territoriality

habitat

pond

Small still body

streamSteady continuous flow
lakeEnclosed body of freshwater
marshGrassy waterlogged lowland

wetland · freshwater · creek · pool · bog · backwater · vernal pool

Opposites

locomotion method in water

waterstriderswimmer

One who moves through water

diving beetle · diver · water boatman · fish · backswimmer

relationship to water surface

waterstriderbottom-dweller

Organism living on substrate

crayfish · catfish · flounder · stone crab · mussel

Family

water, strider, waters, watered, watering, watery, waterless, waterproof, watershed

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