Pondskater

The Pondskater (アメンボ, Amenbo), also called Pond Skater, is a small bug found in ponds, skating on the surface. It appears during the summer months, from May/June to September. Though it is found on water, it cannot be caught with a fishing rod, but instead must be caught with a net while it is close to the edge of the pond. It can be difficult to find when motionless due to its size, but once it starts moving it is easy to see. It is sold for 130 Bells.

Unlike other surface insects (which are found on the water or on the ground), it will not disappear while the player is attempting to catch it.

Donating to the museum
Like all bugs and fish in the, the Pondskater can be donated to the Museum by talking to Blathers the curator, who will tell the player a little bit about each donation.

In Animal Crossing
"I've always been curious... Why is it that these water striders choose to live their lives on the water? And skating across water without sinking? Unnatural! Blech! A grotesque affront to the natural order, wot wot!"

In
"Do you know how pond-skaters keep themselves above water, wot? The oil on the hairs of their feet repel water! Thusly they stay afloat. Which begs the question, if one were to shave their feet, would they sink? I daresay, I cannot think of a worse job than being the shaver of insect feet."

In
"Some say pond skaters smell like candy. Which means someone took the time to sniff one. ...Which means I just lost any appetite I might ever have for candy..."

It can be found in the bottom terrace of the insect exhibit, in the small pond.

In
Upon being donated, the Pondskater can be found in the first room of the bug exhibit skating around the pond. The exhibit has this to say about the Pondskater:

"Pondskaters distinguish themselves by having the ability to run on the surface of water. They have a mouth part that lets them suck up bugs that fall on the water's surface. Their wings allow them to freely move to different parts of the water's surface if the need arises. Some say they smell like candy, which is a rather curious assosciation to make in the insect world."

In
"Putrid pondskaters! They walk on water, you know...which is most preposterous! It is a trick they perform by secreting oil onto the hairs of their feet. To which I say BLEEECH! And one must wonder... What will they do next? Walk on air? Walk through walls? Perish the thought... "

When donated, the pondskater can be found on the surface of the water in the southwestern water tank of the bug exhibit. It shares this habitat with the diving beetle, giant water bug, and some donated fish.

Real-world information
There are over 500 different variants of pond skaters, all with different body shapes, legs, wings, size, and mannerisms. The reason they "skate" along the water is because underneath their legs and their body, are thin, microscopic hairs which allows them to move across water tension with ease - they also have a slight wax coating, but research has proven that it is more down to the hairs than the wax properties. They have six legs, two pairs are long while the front pair are short and used as rudders. They are predatory insects, feeding on other insects that fall into the water, such as ants and even honey bees. They live in calm water areas, such as domestic ponds.