Pond Skater

Gerris lacustris

Statistics

Taxonomic suborder: Heteroptera

Taxonomic family: Gerridae

Length: 1 to 2 cm

Average life span: 1 to 6 months

Juvenile stage (in water): egg and nymph (1st & 2nd instars), up to 2 months

Adult stage (out of water): nymph (3rd & 4th instars) and fully mature

When To See

April to November

Photo credit: Deborah Rigden

Habitat

Can be seen in large groups “skating” on the surface of still waters or slow-moving streams/rivers. Prefer warmer waters with partially submerged rocks and vegetation to oviposit eggs on.

How To Identify

Brownish/black colour with 4 very long legs and two shorter ones near the head. Have water repellent hairs on their feet that allow them to float on the surface film of the water. They hunt prey by sensing vibrations on the surface of the water.

Seen It?

Been kicking about in your local river and come across one of these invertebrates? Not sure? Share it with us at trust@forthriverstrust.org, we enjoy chatting about inverts with you.