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.
Most aquatic insects spend almost their entire lives in water.
They change their form, grow wings and emerge from the water only during spring or summer to mate. Explore a stream during your hatchery visit or near your school. Collect a handful of leaf litter, rocks, or pebbles and sand from the stream. Or kick up bottom material from under rocks and let the current carry the material from under the rocks into a fine mesh net. Place the material you have collected in a light-colored container partly filled with stream water.