Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Gerris remigis plus 6 other synonyms listed at
U. of Michigan
described in 1832 by Say
Numbers
one of 6 species in this genus in North America listed at
ITIS
the most common and widespread water strider in North America
Size
body length more than 11 mm
Identification
hind tibia at least 4 times length of first hind tarsal segment; connexival spines prominent; pronotum dull; first antennal segment subequal to combined length of antennal segments two and three; greatest width across mesoacetabula (middle leg "hip sockets") more than or equal to 0.25 times body length
adults almost always wingless
(1)Range
throughout United States and southern Canada; also occurs in Mexico
Habitat
surface of ponds, lakes, slow-moving streams, rivers
See Also
in Aquarius conformis first antennal segment distinctly longer than combined length of antennal segments two and three, and greatest width across mesoacetabula (middle leg "hip sockets") less than 0.25 times body length
in Gerris species, body length less than 10.7 mm, connexival spines not prominent, hind tibia less than 3.3 times length of first hind tarsal segment
in Limnoporus species, first antennal segment less than 0.8 times combined length of antennal segments two and three
Print References
Stephen Marshall's book
(1) - two photos of adults on page 137
Internet References
distribution and status; PDF doc (C.J. Drak and Halbert M. Harris, courtesy Ohio State U.)
classification and references (ITIS)
