Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Water Striders


I found these little guys while on a hike last weekend. They are living on the surface film of a slow moving stream in the Blue Ridge Mountains of West Virginia. Their water repellent hairs and the surface tension of the water keep them from sinking and give them that ability to skate over the water. For food they feed on small aquatic insects by stabbing them with their proboscis plus eating the land insects that landed on the water by mistake and became trapped. I’m sure you have seen a moth or two in this predicament. Water Striders are in the order Hemiptera, commonly known as True Bugs, and have piercing and sucking mouth parts like a Stink Bug. They were fun to watch but difficult for me to photograph. Here is my best shot so far.




Enjoy other Watery Wednesday photos and musings here.

9 comments:

kden said...

These little bugs give me the willies. I think they are related to the bugs you find in swimming pools. The water is beautiful though ;-)

Tammie Lee said...

wonderful golden images.
Spirithelpers

Pat said...

Your images are pretty from a distance - without seeing those little critters - especially the bottom right one. I love the circles of water and the golden leaf in them. The bottom right one is also your best image to see the bugs. They sure are funny looking. Thanks for sharing these.

eileeninmd said...

Is that what they are called "water striders"? I have seen them too. I didn't know, thanks for sharing.

Wanda..... said...

The golden leaf and reflecting waters make a nice backgound for the striders.

James said...

Nice pictures. I liked driving through WV it's beautiful.

Coffeedoff said...

Lovely autumn colours in your picture. I'd like to see the little creatures. Don't know why as I dont like insects!

Trillium said...

Thanks for sharing these photos!
They look like something from a science fiction movie! Waterworld.

Anonymous said...

They remind me of icescaters dancing and gliding with ease and with gracefulness.