North American Common Water Strider: What Tree Owners Need to Know

If you've received an alert or noticed unusual activity around your trees, you may be wondering about the North American Common Water Strider and what it means for the health of your landscape. While this insect has been flagged as a moderate severity threat to trees in several U.S. states, understanding what you're dealing with is the first step toward protecting your property. Read on for everything homeowners and land managers need to know — from North American Common Water Strider identification to treatment and when to call a professional.

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What Is the North American Common Water Strider?

The North American Common Water Strider is an insect that has been documented in the wild through research-grade observations on iNaturalist, a trusted citizen science platform used by entomologists and naturalists across the country. Its presence has been flagged as a moderate tree health concern, meaning that while it may not cause catastrophic damage on its own, it warrants attention and monitoring by homeowners and land managers in affected areas.

For full technical details about this pest, visit our full ailment details page, which is updated as new data becomes available.

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How to Identify It: North American Common Water Strider Identification

Proper North American Common Water Strider identification is essential before taking any action. Misidentifying an insect can lead to unnecessary treatments or, worse, leaving a real problem unaddressed.

Currently, specific visible symptoms on trees have not been formally documented in our dataset. This makes careful observation especially important. Here are general steps to help you assess your trees:

• Inspect trees regularly for signs of unusual insect activity, including congregating insects on bark, leaves, or branches.
• Check surrounding soil and debris for egg masses, larvae, or adult insects that may match descriptions of this pest.
• Document what you see with photos and dates — this information is valuable if you consult an arborist or submit an observation to iNaturalist.

Because specific symptoms are not yet fully characterized, we recommend using our diagnosis tool to help you evaluate what you're seeing and determine whether the North American Common Water Strider may be involved.

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Where Is It Spreading?

Research-grade observations have confirmed the presence of the North American Common Water Strider across a geographically diverse range of states, including:

• Ohio
• Colorado
• California
• New York
• Idaho

This spread across both eastern and western regions of the country suggests that a wide range of tree owners should remain vigilant, regardless of local climate. If you live in one of these states, it's worth keeping a close eye on your trees and landscape during the active seasons for insect emergence.

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Treatment Options for North American Common Water Strider

If you've confirmed or strongly suspect the presence of this insect, there are several evidence-based North American Common Water Strider treatment strategies available. Always prioritize treatments that are appropriate for your specific situation, and follow all label directions carefully.

1. Targeted Insecticide Application Apply an appropriate insecticide according to label directions. Timing is critical — treatments are most effective when applied during the vulnerable larval or adult emergence stage. Applying at the wrong time can reduce effectiveness and lead to unnecessary chemical use.

2. Biological Control Agents Consider introducing or encouraging natural predators and parasitoids as a lower-impact approach. Options may include: - Predatory beetles - Parasitic wasps - Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a naturally occurring soil bacterium effective against certain caterpillar-stage pests

Biological controls can be a sustainable long-term strategy, particularly in larger landscapes or ecologically sensitive areas.

3. Infested Material Removal Prune and destroy any branches or plant material showing signs of infestation. Remove fallen debris from around the base of trees, as it may harbor eggs or larvae. Always dispose of infested material well away from healthy trees to prevent further spread.

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When to Call an Arborist

While some of the treatments above can be managed by a diligent homeowner, there are situations where professional expertise is essential:

• You are unsure of the identification and don't want to apply treatments unnecessarily.
• The infestation appears to be widespread across multiple trees on your property.
• Your trees are large, mature, or of significant value, where improper treatment could cause additional stress or damage.
• Symptoms are progressing rapidly despite your efforts.

An ISA Certified Arborist can assess the situation firsthand, provide a reliable diagnosis, and recommend a targeted treatment plan. Use our find an arborist directory to locate a qualified professional in your area.

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Stay proactive about tree health — early detection and timely action are your best defenses against insect threats like the North American Common Water Strider.