Gerridae

The gerridés ( Gerridae ) are a family of insects Hemiptera.

The members of this family are commonly called spiders of water , whereas they are of the family of the bugs and not Araignée S, undoubtedly because of their long legs. Their address to be moved on water is worth also the name to them of " Skaters of the eau"

In Western Europe, the kind Gerris gathers several species of bugs amphibians which live at water surface calm. Their ventral face is covered with damp-proof hairs which enable them to use the surface tension of water (Effet lotus) and to move there without running. They move quickly at water surface, up to 1,5 m/s (5,4 km/h), by jerks by using only two of their three pairs of legs. Their forefeet are used only for the predation. The antennas are well developed. The wings are more or less developed; the macropterous individuals (with large wings) fly and move away from water to hibernate.

The kind Aquarius gathers species close but to bigger size and attending waters running.

Classification

Aquarius Schellenberg, 1800.
Gerris Fabricius, 1794.
Halobates Eschscholtz, 1822.
Limnogonus Stal, 1868.
Limnoporus Stal, 1868.
Metrobates Uhler, 1878.
Neogerris Matsumara, 1913.
Rheumatobates Bergroth, 1892.
Trepobates Uhler, 1883.

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