Water striders serve as a model organism for the study of sexual conflict between males and females.

Water striders (Heteroptera) are commonly found on the surfaces of slow flowing bodies of fresh water throughout North America. Their graceful appearance moving across the water surface is in sharp contrast to their mating system. Conflict between the sexes at mating is visually apparent, with males chasing and grasping females in an attempt to mate. More often than not, the female escapes from the male, and mating does not occur. However, if the male grabs hold, there is a vicious struggle in which significant energy is spent and both sexes are at a greatly increased risk of predation.