Family Level Macroinvertebrate Identification

In 2006 Valley Stewardship Network Monitors, Central Wisconsin Trout Unlimited Monitors, and Little Wolf Monitors worked with UW-Extension and WDNR to assess how well citizens were able to identify aquatic macroinvertebrates to family level. Results of this pilot effort indicated that citizens were generally able to successfully identify aquatic macroinvertebrates to family level. They were more successful at this when working in groups rather than individually.  Further, they had more success when at least three classroom training sessions were held to instruct citizens in the identification process. 

Identifying aquatic macroinvertebrates to family level allows a water quality rating, or Family-level Biotic Index, to be determined.  Since family level identification is more specific than WAV’s order level identification, the water quality rating provides a somewhat more insightful glimpse into water quality at a stream site than regular WAV Biotic Index monitoring.  This information can be useful for local groups interested in getting more detailed water quality information at their monitoring sites, or the information may be useful to County staff working on Land and Water Management Plans, or other University or WDNR staff conducting stream studies.

Learning to identify aquatic macroinvertebrates to family level requires a significant time commitment on the part of the learners.  Training sessions will be set up at the request of citizen monitoring groups.  At least three, 3-hour sessions should be scheduled for best success.  These can take place at any time of the year, since organisms being identified are preserved. 

Hands-on training sessions will cover:

• Introduction to Aquatic macroinvertebrate orders and families of the Upper Midwest
• Sampling and preserving aquatic macroinvertebrates
• Use and care of microscopes
• Basic taxonomic structure of macroinvertebrates
• Scientific classification and identification of macroinvertebrate families
• Use of a biotic index

Citizen monitoring groups that are interested in being trained to identify aquatic macroinvertebrates to family level should contact:

Kris Stepenuck
Citizen Stream Monitoring Program Coordinator
608.265.3887 or 608.264.8948
kris.stepenuck@ces.uwex.edu

© 2007 by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, UW-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX requirements. UW-Extension programs are open to all persons without regard to race, color, ethnic background, or economic circumstances. All rights reserved.
Citizen Water Monitoring Network Home l Contact l UWEX Water Resources l Wisconsin DNR | Citizen Monitoring Network