American Marsh Treader vs Common Pond Skater
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | American Marsh Treader | Common Pond Skater |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hydrometra martini | Aquarius najas |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Hydrometridae | Gerridae |
| Size | 8-11 mm | 14-17 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
American Marsh Treader
A very thin, elongate bug with a head nearly as long as its thorax. It creeps slowly along floating debris and sphagnum mats at the edges of ponds and marshes.
Did You Know?
It moves so slowly and deliberately that it rarely disturbs the water surface, making it nearly invisible to predators.
Common Pond Skater
A large, elongate water strider that glides across the surface of flowing rivers and large ponds. It is one of the biggest European gerrid species with a dark brown body.
Did You Know?
Pond skaters communicate with potential mates and rivals by generating specific ripple patterns on the water surface, essentially sending coded messages across the water.