We examined if water striders were able to recognize food distribution from sensory (surface vibrations and visual cues) information only (i. e. they are prescient foragers). Non-reproductive Aquarius remigis (Gerridae, Heteroptera) were stimulated to defend territories in laboratory conditions by simulating prey items falling down on the water surface so that no prey consumption was possible. In patchy prey distribution water striders were more aggressive than in random prey distribution suggesting that water striders were able to use prescient information to assess food distribution. The tests were conducted in artificial habitats differing in the maximal distance from which information about resources and competitors could be collected through surface vibrations. We showed that territory size was positively correlated with home range size of an individual but not with its aggression, and that this correlation was absent in habitats which allowed long-distance exchange of information between individuals through water surface vibrations.
Aquarius najas (DE GEER, 1773) has a univoltine life cycle above the latitude of 53º47’ N, (BRINKHURST 1966) but may be bivoltine in warmer climates. On the Grabia River (51º34’ N; 19°15’ E) in central Poland its life cycle is probable partially bivoltine. The peak abundance of overwintering adults occurs in late April. The first early summer generation occurs from May till November. Second generation nymphs appear in August and September and overlap with later instars of the first generation. Only the first three instars of the second generation are present, and it is unlikely that adults of the second generation were produced. Because only adults are present in early spring, this indicates that nymphs of the second generation do not overwinter.