Water Striders
(Aquarius paludium)
These live on the pond surface. They have long thin legs with very thick water-repellent down at the ends that prevents them from sinking due to the surface tension of the water. Water striders rest four of their six legs on the water while the two front raptorial legs are kept folded, ready to dart out in front to grasp their prey. They dart through the water via propulsion, waiting for small insects to fall into the water for them to eat. They can be seen in the Reserve on the edges of nearly all bodies of water.
