You will need: a small hand net and a small plastic container.

In the West Macs and right across the whole of Central Australia our waterholes teem with insect life. Many insects protect themselves by living in water for their whole life. Other insects will live in water for the earlier stages of their lives.

For insects, life is never dull - they move through body changes called "metamorphoses". The changes can be rather dramatic - kinda like if you changed into a kangaroo in under a week!

To prepare for the activity its probably best to download and print the great Buglopedia. Its produced by the NSW government and it details many of the insects you'll come across in our waterhole.

You may also find it handy to get you hands on a small fish net. They are available from pet shops. There's a couple of pet shops in Alice Springs.

To begin the activity head down to the Simpsons Gap waterhole. This activity is best done in the warmer months but you'll still find insects in the water during wintertime. With you Buglopedia handy, move your net along the bottom of the waterhole. Remember to stay in the shallow parts of the waterhole - it does get deep further in. Examine your net...carefully! Chances are, you have caught something. You'll have to look very carefully and remember, most water insects are very small - maybe about 1cm long or smaller! Using your Buglopedia, see if you can work what you have caught. If you have a good little camera that has a macro setting you may even like to take a photograph as a souvenir! Remember to place the insects carefully back into the waterhole - they have their whole life ahead of them.

Happy hunting! Ranger Michael

Buglopedia!