Water striders are way cooler than you might think! These hemiptera are part of the Gerris sp. group. These water insects have so many amazing features that allow them to walk on water and hunt and kill their prey. Thinks like venom, microscopic hydrophobic hairs and incredible speed are some of their secret weapons. Pleustons have evolved such a unique life that makes them worth writing about in your thesis
Water striders have multiple names. Pond skaters, Jesus bugs and Skimmers are just a few of names we give them. Water Striders belong to the order, Hemiptera which includes insects like plant bugs, stink bugs, assassin bugs and water scorpions just to name a few. So, they are members of the insect group that you can actually call “bugs” and get away with it. There are 1700 species id’ed so far, from the common species we all know (show strider) to a giant species in vietnam (Gigantometra gigas) with legs spans of nearly 1 foot across! There is even an ocean (show ocean waves) faring species which as far as i know is the only insect species found braving the waves of the ocean.
This is a short nature documentary film you don't want to miss.
#insectdocumentary #entomology #amazingbugs
28 сен 2024
