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NO. 044Water strider illustrationIllustration · not shown at life size

True bugs / Insect

Water strider

Gerridae · family group

AdultFind the right habitat

This insect skates across still water. Its short front legs catch prey while the long legs support it.

Let’s look closer

Little clues

Three things to notice.

  1. Very long middle and hind legs.

  2. Short front legs grab prey.

  3. Skates on the water's surface.

Out in the world

Where to look.

Around southeastern Wisconsin

Calm ponds and streams.

Look closely. Leave your tiny neighbor where you found it.

A closer look

One clue is just the start.

It can look like a spider, but it has six legs. The short front pair holds food while the longer legs move it around.

A special find can be hard to spot without being biologically rare. Encounters depend on season and habitat.

Keep exploring

Meet the neighbors.

For curious grownups, too

Read a little further.

Original summaries, with references for deeper reading. Field notes are being checked against the supplied research.

Make a creature disc

Artwork & downloads.

Drag a PNG image into xTool Studio, or use its download button. Images use the full-resolution files.

  • Water strider — Transparent front PNG

    Transparent front PNG

    76.2 mm canvas · white-outlined labels on a clear background

    044-front.png
    1800 × 1800 px

    Download PNG
  • Water strider — Relief depth PNG — prototype

    Relief depth PNG — prototype

    Matches this front · dark lettering 0.5 mm, outline 0.1 mm at 1 mm maximum

    044-height-disc.png
    1800 × 1800 px

    Download PNG
  • Water strider — Original artwork

    Original artwork

    Unmodified source PNG

    044-water-strider.png
    1254 × 1254 px

    Download PNG

  • Editable front SVG

    Common & scientific names · finding clue · editable labels

    044-front.svg

    Download SVG

Front artwork is made for a 3-inch clear disc. Revised artwork still needs a physical check. Disc backs are blank; use the single carrier QR from the print studio to open the field guide.

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