What are these? Pondskaters?

[pammosley]

Hi folks. What are these? There were loads of them in a pond in the summer. They appear to be emerging from their previous bodies. Are they a type of Pond Skater?
Thanks for looking

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Pam,

I'm not sure if they're all the same species, but the richer-coloured ones - those with warm orange and grey, look like Velia caprai. The plainer-looking ones may be nymphs, just obscuring their colours or might be the Common Pondskater, Aquarius najas or similar.

It was interesting seeing how many we have in the UK through researching it.

Take care,

Jason

[pammosley]

Hi Jason, yes I couldn`t believe how many types there are I have read that there are 8 types in the UK. I just thought pond skaters were pond skaters. more confusion
Thanks for looking

[Ukwildlifeo]

Ah one of my favs - they are water crickets. Got a few photos from my local colony of them



Despite their name, they are 'true bugs' like pond skaters. Ive only seen them on slowly flowing water myself

[Jason Green]

Very attractive Neil! Thanks for the venacular name - why 'Crickets', though? I know they can all surge forward in short bounds, but can these individuals move faster or 'jump', even?

One I'll look out for this year... any particular time of year Pam or Neil?

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Very attractive Neil! Thanks for the venacular name - why 'Crickets', though? I know they can all surge forward in short bounds, but can these individuals move faster or 'jump', even?

One I'll look out for this year... any particular time of year Pam or Neil?

I was seeing them in October (possibly november?) this year if memory serves, there usually on the stream in spring as soon as it warms up too (based on the last 2 years) hopefully the cold wont have killed them off.

I you want to wander to this side of London I can show you the colony

[Jason Green]

Thanks Neil,

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

I was seeing them in October (possibly november?) ... hopefully the cold wont have killed them off.

October/November? I didn't realise they were active that late - I assumed mid-Summer! That's good.

I think they should be OK with regards to our bad Winter. The latest research from Pond Conservation says long cold periods mean more Oxygen is desolved in the water for frogs and submerged plants, so should bode well for invertebrates too. There was a post about it last night.

[pammosley]

Those are great photos Neil. Our daughter is best at these close up shots, but obviously having an off day when she took these They were took in July.
I`m a bit supprised by November as well, but it was mild last year.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by pammosley

Those are great photos Neil. Our daughter is best at these close up shots, but obviously having an off day when she took these They were took in July.
I`m a bit supprised by November as well, but it was mild last year.

I found some particularly cooperative individuals. With them being on stream I put a trig on the surface where it wouldnt move and the came right to it for a rest!

[pammosley]

Aha Great idea, I`ve made a mental note