#gerridae

Metrobates hesperius is a small, wingless water strider that forms large swarms on the surface of lakes and rivers, feeding on insects that fall in.

Their swarming behavior and erratic movements might help them avoid being picked out as a target by predators, like the dragonflies I saw flying past and trying to pluck them from the water.

Dragonfly nymphs I caught infinitely while hunting for beetle larvae… why are they so cute. Their eyes are so. I love them when you catch them they just skitter into a position and freeze then start trying to hide again

Gerridae which I wanted because my last one is preserved Mid-Bite by a dytiscid larvae so this one’s nice for studying. I’m a big fan of how the local ones look fancy because they’re black and white like they’re in a suit

And then infinite belostomatids I couldn’t avoid catching who bit the shit out of me while I tried to release them

Strider. Shadow.

Unidentified gerrid in Ramsey Creek. Click here for a simple and succinct explantion of the water strider's oversized shadow.

Just normal days of water striders.

소금쟁이 (Lake Pondskater) [Aquarius paludum]

애소금쟁이 (Gerris latiabdominis)