Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar

TaxonomyBrowseInfoImagesLinksBooksData
Photo#663854
Water Strider - Gerris incurvatus

Water Strider - Gerris incurvatus
Meadows 1/2 mile north of Westwood - Elevation 5150', Lassen County, California, USA
April 24, 2012
Size: Body length 10mm
There were a fair number of these small striders on the marshy waters within the meadow. The meadow was still mostly brown from the winter. Nights were still down in the thirties. I have never seen these striders here in the later spring and summer months.

Any further ID help is appreciated - Thanks!

Images of this individual: tag all
Water Strider - Gerris incurvatus Water Strider - Gerris incurvatus Water Strider - Gerris incurvatus Water Strider - Gerris incurvatus

Gerrid identifications
This was a good series of photos, which made the species ID pretty easy. In identifying Gerris species, or any gerrid for that matter, these views are important: (1) dorsal habitus view; (2) a lateral view of the entire bug -- especially showing the lateral portion of the pronotum; (3) closeup lateral and ventral views of the last few abdominal segments (i.e., the terminalia, or genitalia). Sometimes a closeup dorsal view of the terminalia can be helpful, too, as in this species, although in winged specimens it may be necessary to draw back the wings to provide a clear view.

All of this applies mainly to dead or captive specimens -- it's going to be a bit more difficult to pull off all these shots on a live specimen while it's cruising around the local pond!

Moved
Moved from Water Striders.

Comment viewing options
Select your preferred way to display the comments and click 'Save settings' to activate your changes.