Macroinvertebrate Discovery Games

Macroinvertebrate Cards
What is a macroinvertebrate?
“Macro” means big enough that we can see the creature without a microscope. “Invertebrate” means the
creature is lacking a spine. In this case we are looking at aquatic insects.

Why should we investigate the macroinvertebrates in the water?

These creatures are an important food source for young salmon fry growing in our rivers, lakes, and streams. We
want to make sure there is plenty of food for our salmon. Additionally, these macroinvertebrates are sensitive
to pollution and can show us how polluted the water is. If we find creatures from groups 1, 2 and 3: the water is
very clean. If we find creatures only from groups 2 and 3 it means the water is polluted at a medium level. And
if we find creatures only from group 3, the water is heavily polluted.

How to Use
Begin by printing the cards double sided (flip on long edge).
Cut out the following macroinvertebrate cards. One side
shows the picture of a macroinvertebrate, flip it over to learn
its name, pollution tolerance level, and other fun facts!

Shuffle the cards and pull out 10. The following cards
represent a sample found in Discovery Creek. Take a moment
to identify the macroinvertebrates using the dichotomous
key “Key to Macroinvertebrates in the River”. Find out what
their pollution tollerance levels are using the “Pollution
Tollerance Index” sheet. Then complete the biotic index sheet
to determine how healthy Discovery Creek is based on the
sample you’ve collected. Try this multiple times by shuffling
and pulling out a new sample.

Alternative Games
Option 2: Stack it!
Organize all cards into their pollution tolerance group by
guessing. Place them in piles or lines beneath the title card.
Once finished, check to see if you got them right! Try again
until you get them correct.

Option 3: Guess the Critter!

Do you know these creatures by name? Place all cards on
a table picture up. Challenge a friend at identifying the
macroinvertebrates. Take turns guessing and flipping cards.
The person who collects the most macroinvertebrates wins!

Option 4: Habitat Investigation!

Visit a waterway near you and search for aquatic insects. Lay
out the cards for the macroinvertebrates you found. Use these
cards to determine how polluted your chosen waterway is.
Pair this with our “Habitat Investigation” activity.
Scientist Name(s):

Date: Time: Weather:

Group 1 Species Number Group 2 Species Number Group 3 Species Number

Caddisfly Larvae Dragonfly Nymph Water Boatman

Mayfly Nymph Damselfly Nymph Backswimmer

Stonefly Nymph Alderfly Larvae Snails

Dobsonfly Larvae Amphipods (Scuds) Isopod

Crawling Water Beetle Midge Larvae

Water Mite Tubifex Worm
Crayfish Flatworm

Total Number of Species: Total Number of Species: Total Number of Species:

Multiple total number x 3: Multiple total number x 2: Multiple total number x 1:

(index value) (index value) (index value)

Stream Quality Assessment

Total Number of Species Cumulative Index Value
(Sum of 3 group totals) (Sum of 3 group index values)

Check the box next to the corresponding Cumulative Index Value to determine Stream health

Excellent Good Fair Poor

(> 22) (17 – 22) (11 – 16) (< 11)
 Crayfish Alderfly Larvae
Pacifastacus leniusculus Sialidae
Group 2 Group 2

Washington has one native crayfish There are about 66 species of alderfly on
species called the signal crayfish. Earth.

They are invasive in Europe. The y live in water for 1-2 years before
crawling onto land and growing wings.
Can grow up to 17 centimeters long and
live up to 20 years. They live three weeks as an adult, and
stay clsoe to home.

Damselfly Nymph Caddisfly Larvae

Zygoptera Trichoptera
Group 2 Group 1

Damselfies look like small dragonflies Caddisflies build homes out of debris
and are closely related. The males are using silk from their saliva.
brighter in color than the females.
The homes have been turned into jewelry.
Fossils that look like damselflies have
been found as old as 250 million years. Once an adult, they become food for
nocturnal birds, bats, amphibians, and
They eat mosquitoes. small mammals.

Dagonfly Nymph Dobsonfly Larva

Anisoptera Corydalinae
Group 2 Group 1

Dagronflies can live in the water for up to There are about 60 species.
5 years.
Adult dobsonflies are some of the largest
You can tell a dragonfly from a damselfly isects in North America. With a wingspan
by looking at their wings. Dragonflies can be 7 inches long.
hold their wings flat and away from the
body. Damselfies hold their wings folded The adults are nocturnal and are seldom
along their bodies. seen.
 Isopod Flatworm
Asellidae Platyhelminthes
Group 2 Group 3

Isopods can be found on land, in There are 20,000 species of flatworms.

freshwater, and saltwater. 500 species are
found in freshwater. They are carnivores and scavengers.

Isopods are detritivores, herbivores, The largest flatworms are only a few
carnivores, parasites, and filter feeders. centimeters long.
“Isopoda” means “equal foot” in Greek.

Scud Leech
Amphipoda Hirudinea
Group 2 Group 3

Also called “amphipods” meaning Leeches are parasitic animals related to

“different foot” in Greek. earthworms.

A type of crustacean, and a cousin to The majority of leeches live in freshwater

crabs. and suck blood from their host.

Typically less than 10 millimeters long. Leech fossils are 500 million years old.

Backswimmer Water Boatman

Notonectidae Corixidae
Group 3 Group 3

There are about 500 species of Closely related to backswimmers. While

backswimers. backswimmers swim upsidedown, water
boatmen swim right side up.
They use an oxygen bubble within them
to stay bouyant. Their hind legs are covered with hairs
and move like boat oars.
You’ll find them near the surface
swimming upsidedown. Common prey to amphibians.
 Midge Larvae Crawling Water Beetle
Chironomidae Haliplidae
Group 3 Group 2

Midges are small flies including These aquatic beetles are clumsy
mosquitoes. swimmers and prefer to crawl.

They are an important food source for They live in vegetation along the water’s
amphibians and small birds. edge.

Midges can be found practically They eat insect eggs, small crustaceans
everywhere on Earth. like amphipods, and algae.

Tubifex Worm Water Mite

Tubifex Hydrachnidia
Group 3 Group 2

Also called “sludge worms” or “sewage Can be colored with bright red, orange,
worms” because they can be found in blue, green, and yellow.
heavily polluted habitats.
The young are parasitic and can be found
They are hermaphroditic and an attached to mosquitoes.
individual has both male and female
reproductive parts. They are found on every continent except
Antartica.

Stonefly Nymph Pouch Snail

Plecoptera Physidae
Group 1 Group 3

“Plecoptera” means “braided-wings” in Also called “bladder snails” or “tadpole

Greek. snails”.

The nymphs live in the water for 1-4 Many species are used in aquariums and
years before growing wings. pet store displays.

A female can lay 1,000 eggs which they They are widspread, abundant, and
drop into the water from the air. tolerant of pollution.
 Group 1
Macroinvertebrates

Group 2 Group 3
Macroinvertebrates Macroinvertebrates
 Flathead Mayfly Nymph Minnow Mayfly Nymph
Heptageniidae Baetidae
Group 1 Group 1

The most abundant mayflies in flowing Their streamlined bodies make them
water. excellent swimmers.

Their flat bodies are adapted to cling to They are brown and green and can
rocks in strong currents. appear slightly translucent. This helps
them camoflage among rocks and plants.
They eat algae, and scrap it off rocks.
They live in the water for several years.

Spiny Crawler Mayfly Nymph

Drunella
These macroinvertebrates Group 1
CANNOT tolerate pollutants
There are at least 20 species of Drunella
in the water. mayflies.

Mayflies have four life stages and go

They must have high from egg to nymph, subimago, and adult.
water quality to survive:
Mayflies are commonly used as
cold, clean, and clear water. inspiration and models for fishing lures.

These macroinvertebrates These macroinvertebrates

CAN tolerate pollutants in can tolerate SOME
the water. pollutants in the water.

They can live in poor, They can live in

medium, and high water medium and high water
quality conditions. quality conditions.