HOW DO INSECTS LIKE MOSQUITOES WALK ON WATER?
Insects like mosquitoes can walk (or more commonly, stand) on water due to the following reasons:
1. Surface Tension: Water molecules are strongly attracted to each other, especially at the surface. This creates a sort of "film" at the surface that resists external force—called surface tension. Small, lightweight insects don't exert enough force to break through this tension.
2. Hydrophobic Legs: Mosquitoes and other water-walking insects have hydrophobic (water-repellent) legs. Their legs are covered with microscopic hairs and waxy substances that repel water, helping them stay on top without sinking.
3. Weight Distribution: They have long, spread-out legs that distribute their tiny body weight over a wider area. This reduces pressure on any single point on the water surface.
So, they're not really walking in the usual sense—they're kind of “floating” on water.
