Avoidance of Male Giant Water Striders By Females

Shifts in behaviour and microhabitat preference were exhibited by female giant water striders (G. remigis) when males were experimentally introduced into and removed from wading pools containing females. In the presence of males, females became significantly less active, interacted with one another less, spent less time in open water, and spent more time out of the water away from females. Furthermore, they resumed their original behaviours once males were removed. It is potentially advantageous for females to avoid male harassment due to costs associated with such interactions.