If you have a local pond, help the kids explore it this spring! Yesterday I wrote about the importance of aquatic insects. To find these little creatures, you’ll need some equipment.
There are many different kinds of equipment that one can use to collect aquatic insects. All of them are relatively inexpensive. Kitchen sieves can be purchased at the store and used for pond dipping. It’s also possible to buy dip nets that are designed for catching fast-moving insects, like predatory diving beetles. For animals that cling to rocks, the best solution is to buy or find a small container made out of white plastic, fill it halfway with water, and swish a rock or piece of debris in the water. The insects will come off in the container.
A bug box or a hand held magnifying glass is essential to identifying invertebrates in the water garden. A bug box is a simple, clear box with a magnifying glass installed on the lid. This case can be used to examine one animal in detail. A hand lens or magnifying glass is a good choice for those who would like to look at all of the aquatic invertebrates in a container or just under the surface of the water.
Access is important when pond dipping, especially when small children are involved. If you have a pond, design the pond with a small step when those who are exploring the pond can sit. Make sure that there is an accessible path to the pond – one where wetland fringe vegetation won’t be trampled. This also prevents spills into the pond. Children should always be supervised as they explore for aquatic insects. Place a post next to the pond and add hooks so that nets, buckets, and magnifying glasses are always accessible.
If you have a pond in your garden, create a pond with diverse habitats that attracts an abundance of insects. Wetland vegetation at the edges provides good hiding places for animals who like shallow water and dense cover. A waterfall or other moving water attracts aquatic invertebrates that cling to rocks, like caddisflies.
Invertebrates are an essential part of the garden ecosystem, so it’s important to care for them. Be gentle. Although aquatic insects have hard exoskeletons, they can easily be damaged by rough handling. Return all finds to the pond, where they can breed and grow and create an even more diverse pond ecosystem.