Chris Lawrence / Pond skater
Species of the Month: Pond skater
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Have you seen our Species of the Month in Dorset? By reporting your sighting below, you can help us to build up a picture of the state of Dorset’s wildlife. We send the records of your sighting to DERC (Dorset Environmental Records Centre) who collate this information, providing the opportunity for local naturalists, conservation organisations and wildlife enthusiasts to work together to protect wildlife in Dorset. What’s more, when you complete our Species of the Month survey, your sighting will display on our interactive map below. This allows us to visualize the range of wonderful wildlife our supporters have spotted in their gardens, on their balconies or in their local green spaces throughout the year! So please help us help wildlife by filling in the form below. Thank you!
Chris Lawrence / Pond skater
Species of the Month: Pond skater
Scientific name: Gerris lacustris
Layers
Identification
The pond skater is a small, black/brown insect which ranges in size between 1–2 cm in length. Its body is divided into three segments: the head, which is relatively small but with large eyes, thorax and abdomen. They have six long, thin, hairy and widely spread legs, which they use to propel themselves across the surface of the water.
Diet
Pond skaters eat spiders and insects, particularly mosquito larvae. The water repellent hairs on their legs enable them to walk on the surface film of the water. These hairs also help detect vibrations on the surface film caused by their prey. They use their sharp ‘beak’ to pierce the prey and suck out the insides of the body – yummy!
Pond skaters are very important nutrient recyclers as they clean up the dead and decomposing invertebrates that fall onto the water surface.
Behaviour
Pond skaters will spend most of their time on the water, leaving in the autumn to hibernate in a sheltered spot on land. They emerge in April to lay their eggs on rocks or vegetation just under the water. These hatch into nymphs which undergo five moults, reaching the adult stage after about six weeks. The adults live for about six months and are good fliers so quick to colonise new water bodies.
Did you know?
- A freshly emerged pond skater can develop longer or shorter wings depending on the local conditions. If the water body is overcrowded or dry this means they develop longer wings so they can fly to another place.
- A pond skater can run across the water at up to a hundred body lengths per second
- Pond skaters use their short front legs to grab their prey. The middle legs are used to propel the body forwards, while the back legs are used to steer.
- A pond skater’s body is covered in a waterproof, waxy cuticle which prevents dehydration and also keeps it from drowning.
Where can they be found?
They are often seen in large groups skating around on the surface of the water in ponds, lakes, marshes, ditches and slow flowing waters from April, following their emergence from hibernation, until October.
Report your sighting
Help us build a more accurate picture of Dorset's wildlife by completing this form. Your records will be sent to DERC on the understanding that the information provided by the recorder will be entered onto a computerised database and may be used for nature conservation, research, education or be available to the general public. Your sighting will also appear on our Species of the Month map. You can change your communications preference at any time by contacting us on 01202 692033.
When you have completed the form, click the Submit button. Please note that once submitted it can take up to an hour for your sighting to populate the map.
