Stats

Lifespan: Annual
Size: Small
Diet: Insectivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: Solitary
Biome: Freshwater wetland
Range: Northern Hemisphere
Movement: Walking
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Speed
Status: Common

About

This insect lives on the surface of calm ponds and slow-moving streams. It uses microscopic hairs on its legs to walk on water without breaking the surface.

Life cycle

1.
egg
A small egg is laid on or near the larval food source and hatches within days or weeks.
2.
juvenile
An immature insect feeds and molts, growing through successive instars.
3.
subadult
A near-adult insect has wing buds or near-mature form, one molt away from full size.
4.
adult
Fully grown, with full wings and adult coloration.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Gerridae
Genus: Gerris