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Pond and stream · Flies and true bugs
Common pond skater
Gerris lacustris
A thin, dark brown bug that stands on the surface of the water on four long legs.
- Size
- About 1cm long
- Look for it
- March to October
- Where
- Ponds, ditches, water butts and the quiet edges of streams
My spotter's list
Skates after you in quick strokes. Move your pointer and see.
Good to know
Six things about the pond skater
WalkIt walks on water
The surface of water acts like a thin skin. The skater is so light, and its feet so hairy, that it does not break through.
FeetWaterproof feet
Thousands of tiny hairs on its legs trap air and keep them dry.
FeelIt feels for ripples
It senses the ripples made by an insect that has fallen in, and rows straight to it.
LegsThree pairs, three jobs
The middle legs row, the back legs steer and the short front legs grab the prey.
BeakA beak like a straw
It stabs its prey with a pointed beak and sucks out the insides.
FlyIt can fly
Most have wings, and fly off to find new water. That is how they turn up in a bucket.
The real thing
Photos of the pond skater
Photos are from Wikimedia Commons, used under the free licences shown. They have been resized, and cropped where they appear in link previews.
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Out and aboutHow to spot one
Any still water will have them. Drop a tiny scrap of leaf on the surface and watch one dash over to investigate.
Lend a handHow to help
A water butt or a bucket left out is enough. Pond skaters find new water within days.
Following youLadybird
Who should follow you?
These live somewhere else: choosing one takes you to their page.
The garden
These live somewhere else: choosing one takes you to their page.
Meadow and hedgerow
Pond and stream
These live somewhere else: choosing one takes you to their page.
The log pile
These live somewhere else: choosing one takes you to their page.
After dark
Bugs from other parts of the world live on their own pages: choose another.
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