Water striders (Gerridae) are insects that can walk on the surface of water. They do this by using their long, thin legs to create a depression in the water's surface tension. This depression acts like a trampoline, propelling the water strider into the air.

Water striders are able to jump up to several times their own body length. This allows them to escape from predators and to catch prey.

A recent study has shown that water striders learn from experience how to jump up safely. When a water strider first jumps, it often overshoots its target. However, as it gains experience, it learns to adjust its jump so that it lands safely on the water's surface.

This study suggests that water striders are capable of learning and adapting their behavior. This is a surprising finding, as water striders are relatively simple insects.

The study has implications for our understanding of insect behavior. It shows that even simple insects can learn and adapt their behavior. This could have implications for the development of new pest control methods and for the design of robots that can operate in complex environments.