Water molecules are more attracted to each other than they are to other materials, so they generate a force to stay together called surface tension. If the force that the insect foot makes on the water, is less than the surface tension of the water, the bug will float.

How do insects walk on water surface?

Insects can walk on water because of a phenomenon called surface tension. This is essentially a property of water (or any liquid) which allows it to resist an external force.

How do mosquitoes float on water?

Flexible hind legs are the secret to the feat Mosquitoes may not seem divine, but they can walk on water, thanks to their ultraflexible legs. A mosquito’s leg is made up of three sections, known as a femur, a tibia, and a tarsus. The tarsus is the long, thin section that skims the water’s surface, pictured above.