Gerrinae

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Gerrinae
File:Gerris lacustris (landing).jpg
Gerris lacustris
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Heteroptera
Family: Gerridae
Subfamily: Gerrinae
Leach, 1815

Gerrinae is a subfamily of water strider. This subfamily includes the largest and most best-known group of Gerridae. They are also a phylogenetic subfamily made up of two tribes, and ~14 genera. [1][2]

Description

[edit | edit source]

Like all water striders, Gerrinae are able to walk on water using hydrophobic microhairs. Their bodies also consist of two antennae, a narrow thorax, and six appendages. [3]

Members of the Gerrinae subfamily are characterized by having long slender bodies. Typically, juvenile gerrini range from lengths of 1 to 13 mm and widths of 0.5 to 3 mm. Adult lengths are 4 to 17 mm and widths 1 to 4 mm. Notably, these striders share similar sizes with the Cylindrostethinae and Ptilomerinae, subfamilies within the Gerridae family.[4]

Habitat

[edit | edit source]

Gerrinae are marine insects and are found closer to inland waters. They prefer slow-moving ponds and streams to complement their natural ability. They can be commonly found throughout the Americas, Europe, and temperate Asia. While they are sociable, these insects prefer not to live in close, compact schools.[5][6]

Their most common source of prey are smaller insects. They will usually only go after anything that is helplessly stuck in the water. There are even cases of them resorting to cannibalism during food shortages, young nymphs and weaker adults often fall victim to this.[6][7]

Tribes and selected genera

[edit | edit source]

Source:[8][9]

References

[edit | edit source]
  1. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  2. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  4. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  5. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  6. ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  7. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  8. ^ Citizen science observations for Gerrini at iNaturalist
  9. ^ Citizen science observations for Tachygerrini at iNaturalist

Lua error in Module:Taxonbar at line 165: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).