Macro-invertebrates are animals without a backbone that can be seen without the aid of a microscope or magnifying glass. Aquatic macro-invertebrates are those that spend all or part of their life cycles in water. They include many insects, crustaceans, mites, molluscs and worms.
Aquatic macro-invertebrates are an important component of our waterways and serve as food for platypus, turtles, rakali and fish.
The term 'water bugs' is often used as shorthand for aquatic macro-invertebrates. Scientists consider water bugs an excellent 'bioindicator' of water health. A bioindicator is a biological parameter (e.g. fish, plants, frogs, water bugs) that can indicate your stream's health. A chemical indicator (e.g. pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrate) can also be measured to determine waterway health and both are used by Waterwatch.
Water bugs vary in their sensitivity to changes in the environment and while some bugs can survive in poorer quality water, others will not. So by studying the number and types of water bugs in your stream, you can work out if your stream is in poor, moderate or good health.
The Water Bug Detective Guide (PDF File 925.8 KB) will help you identify some of the water bugs commonly found in the ACT Region.
Water bug surveys happen twice per year (Spring and Autumn) around the region. They are conducted by the local Waterwatch coordinator and volunteers are welcome to join us.
More information
- Waterway health monitoring - Waterwatch Bug Blitz
- National Waterbug Blitz
- Waterbug Identification - a beginners guide (PDF File 2.7 MB) from Melbourne Water is another good resource.
- The Waterbug to find all manner of things water bug related including apps, photographs and books.