The surfaces of Scytodes (above, left) and Dolomedes (below, left) interact very differently with water. Water wets the relatively hydrophilic surface of Scytodes while, on the strongly hydrophobic surface of Dolomedes, water forms spherical beads and the surface remains dry. The hydrophobicity of the surface of Dolomedes makes it possible for spiders in this genus to inhabit the surfaces of ponds and streams, remaining dry while they forage, escape from predators, etc.
	A number of insects, like this water strider (Gerridae), also have strongly hydrophobic surfaces that allow them to inhabit the surfaces of ponds and streams. Note the dimples formed when the weight of the strider, distributed among its six legs, is resisted by the stretching of the water's surface tension.
	The variation in degrees of hydrophobicity among arthropods remains to be adequately explained. This Chinese mantid, for example, has strongly hydrophobic wings and legs but the thorax is only weakly hydrophobic. Why the difference?