 |
 |
 |
||||||
|
Before you start
Preparing for dipping
Using your net
Looking deeper
Respecting the environment
Many freshwater insects spend their early life as nymphs or larvae underwater but then emerge from the water as adults that fly around or over the pond or stream. There are also several insect species that do not live in the water but are often found nearby, living on plants at the edges of ponds and streams. And some insects live on the surface of the water.
|
|
|
|
So, before you start actually dipping in the water, spend some time looking for these insects: dragonflies and damselflies flying around; reed beetles and moths on the vegetation at the water’s edge; or pond skaters and whirligig beetles on the surface of the water. You may also be able to catch some of the surface-living creatures in your net when you start dipping.
If there are any areas of mud or wet sand or moist stones beside the water, look at them carefully: you may see some of the many types of beetles, bugs, flies and spiders that live close to the edge of the water.
|
|
|
|
Half fill your tray with water from the pond or stream, and put it somewhere level and convenient for the ‘dippers’ to empty their nets into it.
Plan your dipping activities so that you can explore all the different underwater habitats – e.g. near the banks, amongst water plants, in the open water, along the bottom, under the edges of large rocks – without needing to sample from an area that you have recently disturbed.
For best results, use your net as follows:
Amongst water plants – stroke the net along the length of the plants to avoid damaging them, but keep any plant fragments in the net and transfer them to the tray;
On sand or mud bottoms – gently slide the edge of your net over the surface of the mud or sand (and against the water flow if you are dipping in a stream): try not to stir up too much sediment or plant detritus, and avoid getting it into your net if possible;
On stone or gravel bottoms in streams – stand the edge of the net on the bottom, with the mouth of the net facing the water flow, and very gently loosen stones in front of the net with your foot to disturb animals, which will be washed into your net by the water flow (but do not kick the streambed).
When you have collected some creatures in your net, carefully empty the net into the tray. If you are using a soft net, turn it gently inside out in the tray of water. If you are using a sieve-net, pour some more water over the inverted sieve to wash your animals into the tray.
Some animals live under large stones, so you won’t catch them with your net. Turn over a few stones and look for animals clinging to the underside. Swirl stones gently in the tray to wash the animals off. If any animals are firmly attached to the stone, do not attempt to prise them off – observe them where they are and then return the stone to the water. Remember to respect the habitat – turn over just a few stones and leave the rest undisturbed.
When you leave, collect up all your equipment – and any litter – and take it with you.
