I06 INSECT LIFE. 



The Water-striders {Field Work).—^o\\ that we 

 have studied the surface-fihn of water, let us visit 

 some pond or stream and observe those insects that 

 live upon it. Chief among these are the water- 

 striders, the long-legged creatures that skate over 

 the surface as if they had no weight. 



There are a good many species of water-striders, 

 and several quite distinct types, differing in size, in 



the form of the body, 

 and in the relative 

 length of the legs. One 

 of the more common 

 forms is represented by 

 Fig. 88. Try to find 

 some of these, for ow- 

 17 oo A . . J inff to their larger size 



Fig. 88.— a water stnder. =» , ^ 



it will be easier to ob- 

 serve them than other kinds ; but if you are unable 

 to find these, study any water-striders that you can 

 find and make notes for an account of them. 



1. Water-striders live upon both ponds and 

 streams ; if you are observing them upon a stream, 

 note what portions of the stream they prefer. 



2. Do they occur singly or in colonies ? 



3. Are they shy or otherwise? 



4. Are they disturbed by fish ? To determine 

 this watch them where there are fish, and throw 

 grasshoppers or other insects into the water and note 

 if the fish are more apt to jump at these than at the 

 water-striders. 



5. Throw some insect into the water where there 

 are no fish, but near some water-striders, and note 

 the actions of the latter. What is likely to happen 



