Most hatcheries have streams on or next to their grounds, and hatchery staff may be able to help make an aquatic insect study part of your hatchery visit. Dividing students into small groups works well for this activity. Each group could explore different stream habitats, such as ripples, pools, leaf litter, rocks, sand, etc., and compare what they found. Students should have rubber soled shoes and expect to get at least wet feet. You will learn what fish eat for lunch at the fish hatchery during your visit.
Aquatic insects are insects that spend most of their lives in water.
Gazing into the cold water of a stream, things look pretty still and lifeless. But take a closer look. Skeletons of leaves with only the main ribs remaining are evidence of the work of some of the aquatic insects. Leaves and wood fall into the stream, are eaten by insects, and the energy that was in the leaves and wood end up in the insects. Some of the insects also get energy from plants that grow in the water.