Description
''Aquarius remigis'' grows slightly longer than .5 inches, and is dark brown to black in colour. It has a sharp rostrum that it uses to pierce the body of its prey and suck out the insides.Behaviour
They normally continue to move to avoid being eaten by predators. It has good vision, and can row quickly over the surface of the water. It uses its front legs to seize its prey. During breeding season, this species can communicate with potential mates by sending ripples over on the surface of the water. Adult females normally lay their eggs on plant stems at the water's edge.Diet
This predatory species feeds on mosquito larvae living under the surface, and dead insects on the surface, and other insects that accidentally land on the water.References
Further reading
*Fairbairn, D. J. 1985. ''A test of the hypothesis of compensatory upstream dispersal using a stream-dwelling waterstrider, Gerris remigis'' Say. Oecologia 66:147-153. *Fairbairn, D. J. 1985. ''Comparative ecology of Gerris remigis (Hemiptera, Heteroptera) in two habitats: a paradox of habitat choice.'' Canadian Journal of Zoology 63:2594-2603. *Fairbairn, D. J. 1986. ''Does alary dimorphism imply dispersal dimorphism in the waterstrider, Gerris remigis?'' Ecological Entomology 11:355-368.External links