"Writing on the Bean"
Morenci 8th grade students
joined High School Green Earth Club students (GECKOs) and watershed volunteers
in a stream search for aquatic macroinvertebrates on April 30, 2004, in Bean
Creek at Wakefield Park, Morenci.
Students wrote short pieces about the aquatic insects -- some will be published
in the State Line Observer; all of the writings are posted here. All participating students received a pocket-size folding map
of Bean Creek and its public parks. This EPA Environmental Education grant will
also fund donations to Morenci Schools of kick nets, ground cloth, magnifying
glasses, tweezers, and a set of macroinvertebrate flash cards.
Eastern stonefly -- Acroneuria arenosa (Plecoptera:Perlidae)
Identified by Department of Environmental Quality aquatic biologist, Jeffrey
Cooper, who says it is probably a female. He says, "This critter is not
only an indicator of relatively good levels of D.O.[Dissolved Oxygen], but this
is a stonefly that typically lives in a stream for two years before emerging
as an adult. Insects that live for more than a year are considered to be an
indicator of stream stability or stable conditions as two years is a long time
for a bug, and it only takes one bad event to end things."
Thanks to all the Morenci students! We found many other aquatic insects,
including
Dragonfly larvae
Caddisfly larvae (many)
Mayfly larvae (many, including armored mayfly larvae)
Damselfly larvae
Water striders
Aquatic worms
Cranefly larvae
Water boatman
Fishing spider
Water striders
Riffle beetles
Also--
Crayfish & many fingernail clam shells
Small catfish
Mottled sculpin
See more Morenci photos!