Aquatic Invertebrates Follow-up Activity

Materials:
Ice cube trays
Insect vials
Forceps
Magnifying glasses
Aquatic insect key
Data sheets

1.   Count how many insects you have. As you count, separate the different types of insects (those that are different from one another based on the key) into different cubes of the ice cube tray. For example, one cube should have all the mayflies, while another should have all the stoneflies. You can use your aquatic insect key to help know which insects should be together in a cube and what they are called.

2.   Next, use your Aquatic insect key to count the total number of insects you have that are “sensitive to pollution.” Fill in the number and label it on your data sheet along with the sampling location. Repeat this for the other groups as well (somewhat sensitive and tolerant).

3.   Finally, put all the insects that belong to the same group in a vial for storage. You should have three vials when you are done.

4.   What does your data tell you about the health of the wetland?

Download a Word file of Aquatic Insects Follow-up Activity.

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