Sunday 24 August 2014

Today in Nature: The "Jesus Bug"

The Jesus Bug

August 24th: This amazing insect has the nickname the "Jesus Bug", for its ability to water on water. It is actually a water slider. For us, water is just wet, but for a bug this small, the surface of the water is solid, like a thick film, due to the surface tension. Its legs are covered in hairs which contain air pockets, thus keeping the bug on top of the water, like a natural hovercraft. It uses its middle legs for propulsion, and its hind legs to steer. The front two two legs grab onto prey what fall onto the water, like insects. It can also feed on creatures that rise out of the water like tadpoles.

So is water soft or hard? It all depends on who is asking, a little bug or a heavier animal like us.

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