Velvet Tree Ant vs Water Strider
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Velvet Tree Ant | Water Strider |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Liometopum occidentale | Gerris lacustris |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Formicidae | Gerridae |
| Size | 3-6 mm | 8-10 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Velvet Tree Ant
A large ant that nests in oak trees and produces a distinctive trail pheromone odor.
Did You Know?
Columns of these ants march in conspicuous trails up and down tree trunks.
Water Strider
Walks on water using hydrophobic leg hairs that trap air. Each leg has thousands of microscopic grooved hairs. Can detect prey vibrations on the water surface from centimeters away.
Did You Know?
Water striders have over 1,000 microscopic hairs per mm on their legs — each hair has nano-grooves that trap air, making their feet essentially unwettable.