Mini Camp: Bugging Out: An exploration of bugs above and below the water! (Ages 12-14)

August 4, 2023 @ 10:00AM — 12:00PM Central Time (US & Canada)

New Canal Lighthouse: 8001 Lakeshore Drive New Orleans, LA 70124 Get Directions

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Join us for a creepy-crawly exploration, "Bugging out: An exploration of bugs above and below the waters!," Embark on a captivating journey through bayous, lakes, and estuaries, as we investigate the hidden world of the insects who live at the water's edge and learn to use them to measure the ecosystem's well-being.

Join us for a creepy-crawly exploration, "Bugging out: An exploration of bugs above and below the waters!," Embark on a captivating journey through bayous, lakes, and estuaries, as we investigate the hidden world of the insects who live at the water's edge and learn to use them to measure the ecosystem's well-being.

Kickstarting the adventure, we'll gather at the New Canal Lighthouse on Lake Pontchartrain, where our knowledgeable guide will introduce the vital role of insects as bioindicators in an ecosystem. Equipped with field notebooks, insect identification guides, magnifying glasses, and nets, students will be fully prepared to collect and record specimens.

Our exploration commences above the water's surface in Lighthouse Rain Garden. Here, we'll carefully observe insect interactions with plants, feeding habits, and abundance, including captivating dragonflies, damselflies, butterflies, and bees. Through these observations, we'll unravel the intricate relationship between insects and their habitat.

Moving on, we'll venture to the water's edge to witness insects residing on the water's surface. Fascinating water striders, water boatmen, and backswimmers will showcase their unique adaptations for gliding or walking on water. We'll document their behavior, population density, and diversity, noting any changes from previous observations. Specimens will be collected using dipnets for further examination under microscopes.

Deepening our exploration, our guides will present samples collected from Bayou St John and City Park. Mayfly larvae, caddisfly larvae, and water beetles will be showcased, enabling us to closely examine their adaptations for aquatic life. During this phase, we'll discuss the sensitivity of different insect species to water pollution, identifying pollution-tolerant, pollution-sensitive, and pollution-intolerant indicators to assess overall water quality.

Based on our collected data and observations, we'll engage in collective discussions to draw conclusions about the ecosystem's health. Are the insect populations diverse and abundant? Is there a balanced representation of species? We'll analyze any signs of pollution or ecological imbalances with the aid of our field notes, identification guides, and instructor's guidance.

The workshop will conclude with a reflective group session, where we'll share our experiences and emphasize the significance of insects as indicators of ecosystem health. By exploring insects both above and below the water's surface, students will gain profound insights into the delicate connections between insects and their environment, nurturing their advocacy for environmental stewardship.


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