Pondskater

The Pondskater (also called Pond skater and often better known as the Water Strider or Water Skater) is a fairly small bug found in ponds, where they skate on the surface. It appears during the summer months, from May/June to September. Because it is found on the water, it can be assumed that to catch it would require a fishing rod. However, just like other insects, it can only be caught with a net when it is skating close to the sides of ponds. It can be difficult to find when motionless due to its size, but once it starts moving it is easy to see due to ripples in the water.

When released it will fly away, as like many aquatic insects they evolved wings to fly to new ponds when the old one is either insufficient or dies up.

In, , and  it can be found during rain.

Donating to the Museum
Like all bugs and fish in the series, the pondskater can be donated to the Museum by talking to Blathers the curator, who will tell the player a little bit about each donation.

In Animal Crossing
"I've been always been curious... Why is it that these water striders choose to live their lives on the water? And skating across water without sinking? Unnatural! Blech! A grotesque affront to the natural order, wot wot!"

In Wild World
"Do you know how pondskaters keep themselves above water, wot? The oil on the hairs of their feet repel water! Thusly they stay afloat. Which begs the question, if one were to shave their feet, would they sink? I daresay, I cannot think of a worse job than being the shaver of insect feet."

After donation, the pondskater can be found skating on the pond's surface in the exhibit on the left of the first room.

In City Folk
"Some say pond skaters smell like candy. Which means someone took the time to sniff one. ...Which means I just lost any appetite I might ever have for candy..."

It can be found in the bottom terrace of the insect exhibit, in the small pond.

Encyclopedia Information
When the player has caught the pondskater, they can find information about the insect in the bug menu. Below is the information regarding the pondskater:

Wild World

 * Size: 14 mm.
 * Season: Summer.
 * Time: All day.
 * They live off of bugs that fall into the water.

City Folk

 * Size: About 14 mm.
 * Season: Summer.
 * Time: Noon.
 * For obvious reasons, these are also known as "magic bugs".

Further Information
There are over 500 different variants of pond skaters, all with different body shapes, legs, wings, size, and mannerisms. The reason they "skate" along the water is because underneath their legs and their body, are thin, microscopic hairs which allows them to move across water tension with ease - they also have a slight wax coating, but research has proven that it is more down to the hairs than the wax properties. They have six legs, two pairs are long while the front pair are short and used as rudders. They are predatory insects, feeding on other insects that fall into the water, such as ants and even honey bees.

They live in calm water areas, such as domestic ponds, and they may even move into puddles recently formed by the rain. They have also been known to land on vehicles, due to the fact they mistake the shiny surface for water. A poorly-known fact is that many species have the ability to fly once they reach maturity. This fact is shown in game by the fact that when you release them they will fly off.