* Insects: They are carnivores and their main food source is other small insects that fall onto the water's surface. These include mosquito larvae, flies, and other aquatic insects.
* Small crustaceans: Occasionally, they might also catch small crustaceans like water fleas (Daphnia) or copepods.
They are skilled predators, using their long, spidery legs to detect vibrations in the water caused by struggling prey. Their sharp mouthparts are designed to pierce and suck the fluids from their victims.
It's important to note that pond skippers don't actually "skip" on the water. They use their long, water-repellent legs to distribute their weight and walk or run across the surface tension of the water.