A striking insect, the water measurer. Bug, conquered three elements

In the world lives a huge amount of amazing creatures. Some live in heaven, others on earth, and others, and does prefer water. However, there are those who skillfully combines all three elements. For example, the insect, the water measurer. And that's about it, will be discussed in our article.

Insect does a water Strider: why is this called a small bug?

"Front" – the title of the bug, familiar to Russian-speaking countries. Our ancestors came up with the name, looking at the way an insect glides across the water. They have the impression that their movements it feels like water. However, this name is so attached to the bug that even today his name still. Though in English his name sounds like a water strider, which means “running on water”.

General information

It Should be noted that this is a very common insect. Does a water Strider lives almost everywhere, with the exception that the cold lands of the Arctic and Antarctic. Scientists consider these creatures to the insect family Hemiptera, the suborder of bugs. Today there are more than 700 species of water striders, which differ not only in appearance and dimensions, but also a familiar way of life.

Appearance and characteristics

So, what looks like the water measurer? The insect, a photo that looks more like a floating wand is quite long, elongated body. Depending on the subspecies, its size can range from 1-2 cm to 4-5 mm. At the most is considered to be a tiny insect that lives in the sea.

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The Main feature of any water striders are the long legs. They are often larger than the body bug. A similar proportion is related to the fact that the legs – is the key to the survival of the species. Because they allow the insect to quickly glide on the water surface. All water striders have six legs. Also she has wings but she uses them rarely.

Most members of this species are colored in dull tones. The most common are brown and black. By the way, a similar color is not accidental – the nature of specially awarded them an insect. The water measurer almost always is open space, because the dark tones perfectly blended with the water, is her only chance to protect yourself from the ever hungry birds and amphibians.

The Ability to run on the waves

Does a water Strider-an insect, which always comes down to the story about his amazing ability to withstand the water element. So how she manages not to sink? The thing is that the legs of the bug are covered with a special substance, its structure resembling fat. This creates a kind of barrier, not giving the limbs to sink into the water.

In addition, the insect is able to correctly distribute the weight: the burden falls not on one point, and consequently, evenly distributed on all six limbs. As for high speed movement, it is achieved by the fast pulse times. They behind water striders create swirls that push her forward.

It is Noteworthy that the bug can float as mirror smooth surface, and the waves. This ability allows water striders to settle on various types of reservoirs, which significantly increases their survival rate, and, consequently, population.

Diet

Do Not think that it is a peaceful insect, the water measurer is a real predator. She boldly attacking any small creature unlucky enough to find yourself on the surface of the water. Such audacity is justified, since other insects are not able to stand up to her, being in an alien element.

The Principle of hunting in water striders is very simple. Once the prey falls into the water, they automatically swim to it and cling to the body hook front paws. Then the predator breaks through the shell of the victim with a sharp proboscis, located on the head. After the water measurer can only suck the fluid out of the body of the unfortunate creature.

Features of the behavior of water striders

Many people mistakenly assume that it is exclusively aquatic insect. The front really spends most of its life in the pond, but this does not mean that she was not able to conquer the other elements. For example, she has wings, allowing you to make small flights. She enjoys them if its native pond begins to dry up and she needs to find a new refuge.

Also, these bugs can crawl on the ground. They do it very clumsily, as thin legs constantly get stuck in small cracks and faults. However, despite this, land for them is vital. The fact that water striders cannot spend the winter in the water, and therefore are looking for a warm house in the ground or on the tree. Thus, this kind of bugs is really unique, because he managed to conquer three of the elements.

Natural enemies

The Main enemies of the striders are birds and amphibians. The first catch insects in a quiet, Sunny weather, and the second to skillfully hunt them down at the edge of the shore. Naturally, great harm to the population, they cannot cause, but single individuals obviously have to live with the sorrow.

But this bug is another enemy – water mites. This parasiteoften affects the back of the insect, leading to total exhaustion. Often this symbiosis leads to the death of Gerridae. And besides, it becomes a dangerous source of infection, capable of transmitting the parasite to other individuals of their own species.