| any of several aquatic bugs of the family Gerridae, having long, slender legs fringed with hairs, enabling the insects to dart about on the surface of the water. |
| water strider n. Any of various insects of the family Gerridae, having long slender legs with which they support themselves on the surface of water. Also called skater. |
water strider
any insect of the family Gerridae (order Heteroptera), which numbers about 350 species. Water striders, often seen running or skating in groups over the surface of a pond or stream, are slender, dark coloured, and generally more than 5 millimetres (15 inch) long.
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