Devon Wildlife Trust There are nine species of pond skater in the UK, which range between 1-2cm in length. Often seen in large groups, they 'skate' around on the surface of the water in ponds, lakes, ditches and slow-flowing rivers, feeding on smaller insects which they stab with their sharp mouthparts or 'beaks'. The Common pond skater emerges from hibernation in April and lays its eggs. Hatching soon after, the nymphs go through a number of moults.

How to identify

The brownish-black, long-legged Common pond skater is only likely to be confused with the smaller, thinner, more fragile-looking Common water-measurer, or the smaller, chunkier, shorter-legged Water cricket.

https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/wildlife-explorer/invertebrates/bugs/common-pond-skater

 

A mating pair of Pond Skaters, Little Dart River near Chulmleigh, photo by Grant Sherman 19th April 2020

Devonshire Association Entomology Section

https://devonassoc.org.uk/organisation/sections/entomology-section/

Wikipedia Gerris lacustris, commonly known as the common pond skater or common water strider, is a species of water strider, found across Europe.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerris_lacustris

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