Water Strider vs Bee Killer Assassin Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Water Strider Bee Killer Assassin Bug
Scientific Name Gerris lacustris Apiomerus crassipes
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Gerridae Reduviidae
Size 8-10 mm 12-18 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Heathland
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions Europe, Asia North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

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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.

Bee Killer Assassin Bug

An assassin bug that coats its legs with plant resin to capture bees visiting flowers.

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Did You Know?

It applies sticky resin from plants to its forelegs like a trapping glue.