These common bugs have slender bodies and long spindly legs. Their front legs are shorter and stubbier than their others and individuals can be winged or wingless. Their head elongates into a conspicuous rostrum.
The commonest of our skating bugs, the Pond Skater is named for its ability to skate across our ponds and other still waters. Its legs are covered in tiny hairs which stop them from getting wet. This allows it to make the most of surface tension to glide across the water’s surface. Its middle legs are used as paddles to propel them along while the rear and fore legs act as rudders. It is a predatory bug which uses its short front legs to capture stranded insects that have fallen into the water. Most are wingless but the ones which do have wings are good flyers and can easily travel about to populate new areas.
Latin name: Gerris lacustris
Size: 8-10mm long.
In the garden
These little bugs are widespread across Britain and, provided that you have a pond in your garden, you will attract them. They perform a great little service in your pond by clearing up insects that become stranded and die on the water’s surface, ensuring that it stays clean.