looduskalender.ee

Only too often the pond skaters are taken for water fleas (Daphnia and other small water insects). There are nine species of pond skaters in Estonia, but telling them apart needs specialist knowledge. They are black or darkish, and long and slender. These "water walkers” support their water-repellent (hydrophobic) feet on the surface film of the water; their bodies are waterproof too. The forelegs are used in hunting for prey, the powerful middle legs for paddling, and the rear legs mostly for steering. On the underside of a pond skater’s foot is a "claw” that helps to get a grip on the film on the water surface for better push-off.