Bug catchers learn about benthicmacroinvertebrate

THE HUNT BEGINS — A group of approximately 40 kids, along with adults, took to the shore of Lake Wawasee at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation for the annual bug catch. This year 95 percent of the participants were new to the experience.
This year was unique as more than 95 percent of the participants were new to the bug catch.
Grandparents brought grandchildren, and parents brought their children and those of friends to enjoy several hours of water bug catching experiences. Minnows, zebra mussels and even a dragon fly larva with all its scales were among the finds.
- SEARCHING — Ivy Tippett goes through what she scooped up with her net to see what insects, crustaceans or other critters she found.
- READY TO FIND CRITTERS — Levi Glaser prepares to dip his net into Lake Wawasee to see what benthic macroinvertebrate he can find at the bottom of the lake. The critters he is looking for live on the bottom of the lake and can be seen without a microscope. The critters also have no backbone.
“We are technically studying benthic macroinvertebrate today.” Brown said, explaining what each word meant. She encouraged participants to use the petri dish magnifier available to view findings closer.
Her brief presentation included a bit of education, discussing what invertebrate means and what these critters are.
She encouraged the adults to find one of the binders available showing the various macroinvertebrate, which could be found. “If you want to gain a life skill from being here, open up one of these books and go through the charts to identify who and what was found,” encouraged Brown.
Brown explained the importance of studying the insects that live in a lake.
“Our goal is to understand, that the healthier the little critters are that live in the lake, the healthier that lake water is for us to use and enjoy.” Additionally she added, “We can identify the quality of the water by the fish we catch.”
To see more photos and Brown’s presentation visit the post on InkFreeNews: www.inkfreenews.com/2016/07/02/bug-catchers-learn-about-benthic-macroinvertebrate/.