veekõndimine

Veekõndimine, also known as water walking or water striding, is the phenomenon where certain insects and spiders are able to move across the surface of water. This ability is primarily attributed to a combination of physical properties and the adaptations of the creatures themselves. The surface tension of water, which is a thin, elastic-like layer formed by the cohesive forces between water molecules, is strong enough to support the lightweight bodies of these arthropods.

Insects that exhibit veekõndimine, such as water striders, possess specialized physical characteristics that allow them to exploit surface tension. Their legs are typically long and slender, with a hydrophobic, or water-repelling, coating. This coating prevents the legs from breaking through the surface film. Furthermore, the weight of the insect is distributed over a relatively large area by its multiple legs, reducing the pressure on any single point of the water surface. When they move, they typically create slight depressions on the surface rather than punctures.

Spiders that can walk on water, like some species of fishing spiders, utilize similar principles. They have dense, water-repellent hairs on their legs that trap air, increasing buoyancy and preventing wetting. Their low body weight is also crucial. These creatures often hunt for small insects or aquatic prey found on or near the water's surface, using their veekõndimine ability for both locomotion and predation. The study of veekõndimine has also inspired technological advancements in biomimicry, leading to the development of miniature robots capable of traversing water surfaces.