What family is recognized for water striders?

The family recognized for water striders is Gerridae. This family includes the well-known aquatic insects commonly referred to as water striders or pond skaters, which are characterized by their long legs that allow them to skate across the surface of the water. Members of Gerridae are adapted to a life on the water's surface and possess specialized hair structures on their legs that provide them with the surface tension needed to walk on water.

In contrast, Polymitarcyidae is a family of mayflies, while Heptageniidae and Ephemerellidae are also families within the order Ephemeroptera, consisting of various mayfly species. These families do not represent the same adaptations and features that define the Gerridae's water striders, making them irrelevant to the question regarding the specific family associated with these insects.