Kinds of bugs that walk on water

There’s a reason Spider-Man is such a popular superhero: spiders and insects can do a lot of amazing things humans can't. For instance, take the mesmerizing way some bugs that live in the water can "walk" across lakes, puddles, and even streams. Although it looks like magic, this impressive feat is all due to these insects' delicate body structures and the water's surface tension.

In this exploration, we dive into the remarkable world of bugs that walk on water, revealing the secret behind their extraordinary feat. At the heart of this phenomenon lies the concept of hydrophobicity – a property that turns the water's surface into a platform for these insects to roam. Keep reading to learn more about the different kinds of bugs that make walking on water look easy.

Water striders (Gerridae)

Water striders, belonging to the family Gerridae, are one the most common types of water bugs you might see scuttling across the water on your next lake trip. These spider-like insects use their four long, spindly legs to skate across the water, with the back two legs acting like rowing oars – their two short front legs are for catching prey. Their delicate legs are also coated with waxy hairs, which they use to propel themselves forward. Water striders are also known by several other names, including "Jesus bugs" and "pond skaters," reflecting the unique ability of bugs that walk on water.

Giant water bugs (toe biters)

Capable of reaching four inches in length, giant water bugs (Lethocerus americanus) are one of several bugs that live in water. They have a flat and oval body shape, which aids in their aquatic lifestyle, allowing them to glide smoothly just below the surface of the water. Their long, slender legs are covered in tiny hairs that repel water and trap air, creating a thin layer of air around their legs. This phenomenon, known as superhydrophobicity, reduces water resistance and allows these bugs to walk on water.

Most often found in ponds and lakes, these giant water bugs can unleash a painful bite on their favorite prey: other insects, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and other creatures around their watery habitats. They've even been known to occasionally grab a toe of humans trying to enjoy the water, earning the name "toe biters." After securing their prey, these water bugs inject a poisonous digestive enzyme to help kill and break down their meal. Just know that these insects are more interested in other, more manageable meals than they are in much larger beings — like humans.

Fishing spiders

Fishing spiders exhibit unique physical characteristics and adaptations that enable these water bugs to travel across aquatic environments with ease. Their bodies, covered in hydrophobic hairs, repel water, allowing them to float and move on the water's surface. This remarkable ability is further enhanced by their long, spread-out legs that distribute their weight evenly. This distribution of weight prevents them from breaking the water's surface tension, allowing these bugs to walk on water as if it were solid ground. Sometimes they "row” their two back legs to skate across the water or use their six front legs to bounce off the water's surface. The fishing spider can even arrange its back four legs into a sail, which catches the breeze and sends the spider surfing effortlessly across the water.

Mosquitoes

Beyond their notoriety for biting, mosquitoes have fascinating adaptations that allow them to interact with water, especially during their larval and pupal stages. Much like other egg-laying insects, the mosquito’s body is built to float on water. The life cycles of mosquito species start in the water, whether at the edge of a lake or in the standing water of your backyard. Adult mosquitoes are equipped with a pair of wings, a slender body, and long legs, which contribute to their ability to fly and land softly on surfaces, including water. They use their thin, flexible bottom-most leg segment, called a tarsus, to rest on the surface of the water long enough to lay their eggs, allowing these bugs to essentially walk on water.

Dragonflies

This type of water bug is a captivating group of insects known for their brilliant colors, large multifaceted eyes, and two pairs of strong, transparent wings that set them apart in the insect world. Dragonflies spend a significant portion of their life cycle in water, where they mate and lay their eggs. After the eggs hatch, the babies — called naiads — live underwater, where they feast on mosquito larvae and other aquatic insects. Later, naiads crawl out of the water, their skin splits open, and the adult dragonfly emerges. While adult dragonflies can land on water surfaces, they do so briefly and are not known to walk on it.