Gerridae

Gerridae is a family of insects commonly called water striders. Its members move across water surfaces using long legs and water-repellent body coverings.

Surface tension: Surface tension is the tendency of a liquid surface to resist deformation because of cohesive forces between its molecules. It supports water striders’ weight without their bodies breaking through the water surface.
Heteroptera: Heteroptera is a suborder of insects within Hemiptera, containing true bugs with distinctive forewings. Gerridae belongs to this broad group of true bugs.
Biomimicry: Biomimicry is the design of materials, systems, or processes inspired by structures and functions found in living organisms. Water striders’ water-repellent legs have inspired designs for devices that move across liquid surfaces.
Gerris lacustris: Gerris lacustris is a widespread European water strider found on ponds and other still waters. This familiar species exemplifies the pond-dwelling members of Gerridae.
Superhydrophobicity: Superhydrophobicity is extreme water repellency, typically producing contact angles greater than 150 degrees. Water-repellent hairs on Gerridae help keep their bodies dry and buoyant.
Gerromorpha: Gerromorpha is an infraorder of semi-aquatic true bugs adapted to life at or near water surfaces. Gerridae is one family within this group of water-associated insects.
Water-walking robot: A water-walking robot is a machine designed to travel across a liquid surface by imitating surface-skimming animals. Robotic prototypes borrow Gerridae-like leg geometry and water-repellent materials.
Gerris remigis: Gerris remigis is a North American water strider commonly found on streams and other flowing waters. Its habitat illustrates that Gerridae can occupy running water as well as ponds.
Hydrofuge hairs: Hydrofuge hairs are microscopic, water-repellent structures that trap air and resist wetting. Their dense covering helps water striders avoid being submerged by splashes or surface contact.
Hemiptera: Hemiptera is an insect order that includes true bugs, aphids, cicadas, and their relatives. The family Gerridae is classified within this order.

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