Aquatic Invertebrates Collection Instructions

Aquatic insects live underwater and perform important tasks such as filtering water and breaking down dead plants. Many aquatic insects are very sensitive to pollution. Pollution can make it hard for aquatic insects to breathe under water, among other things. Some insects are not as sensitive to pollution and can live in highly polluted waters.

Equipment list (some items are optional):

- Sampling net
- Rubber boots (2 pairs)
- White tray
- Bucket
- Water bulbs
- Tweezers (also called forceps)
- Ice cube trays
- Plastic vials for insect storage
- Isopropyl alcohol for insect preservation
- Insect identification key
- Data sheet
-Magnifying glass

You can check some of these items out from WEST (www.earth.utah.edu/west), buy them from www.bioquip.com, or buy them at your local supermarket.

Directions:
1. Set up the white tub with some water in it.

2. Collectors should put on the rubber boots.

3. One collector should place the net so that the bottom lies on the bottom of the river. Another collector should turn over as many of the rocks as possible upstream from the net, or scoop some mud or leaves into the net if needed, for 30 seconds. (Hint: Collectors can rub off some of the clinging insects by rubbing their hands on rocks.)

4. Gently remove the net from the water and carry it over to the tub. The net may be filled with organic debris, so you may need to run water though it to wash the majority of the debris out. This will allow better visualization of insects in the tub. Put the net upside-down over the tub and use water to wash insects into the tub (or simply swish it around). You can use tweezers to pick out the insects that don’t wash out. Be very thorough – make sure to look under all the leaves.

5. Place all insects in vials labeled with the sample location, time and date. Note that labels can be made on paper with pencil and placed inside the vials, but pen will run.

Download Word file of Aquatic Invertebrate Collection Instructions.

Click here for Follow-up Activities.

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