Need to identify minibeasts in ponds and streams? This high-quality FSC Freshwater name trail fold-out guide has been used by generations of students and enthusiasts alike to identify the invertebrates found when pond dipping.

The simple flow chart on this guide shows representatives of the main groups found in ponds and streams. These include animals with no legs, such as hydra, flatworms, true worms, leeches and molluscs. Plus the animals with jointed legs, such as crustaceans, insects, spiders and mites. Freshwater insects include those with nymphs (such as mayflies, dragonflies and damselflies, stoneflies and water bugs) and those with larvae (such as caddis flies, beetles, alderflies and true flies).

As well as making a simple list of minibeasts, the Freshwater Name Trail supports many different investigations.

• How do minibeasts breathe underwater? Different animals obtain oxygen in different ways. For example, flatworms, leeches and snails can absorb oxygen through their skin. Other animals, like mayfly nymphs, have gills. These gills are easily to see moving on the live animal. Mosquito larvae, water scorpions and rat-tailed maggots use a ‘snorkel’. And a few animals, like water spiders, collect air bubbles from the surface.
• How are minibeasts move through water in ponds and streams? Some animals, like leeches, flatworms and flattened mayfly nymphs, are streamlined. Are the animals that live in moving water shaped differently to those that live in still water? Can you compare the deep and shallow parts of the same pond?
• How clean is the water? Since different animals tolerate different levels of pollution, you can use the list of minibeasts you have made. The guide features a simple biotic index.

Mainland Britain

Our UK mainland delivery charges are as follows: (All figures are exc. VAT)

We send all items by Royal Mail 24. Please allow 2 days for us to dispatch, although it could be longer at busier times. This is a tracked service but NOT signed for, if you require a signed for service please select next day delivery.

For next day delivery, please order by 12 noon, item must be in stock. All stock levels are shown on the web, if showing as out of stock or prepared to order and required urgently, please contact us as we may have stock! Next day orders are sent by Royal Mail Special Delivery by 1pm.

Drosophila are always dispatched on a Monday, please advise when ordering your preferred delivery week.

Our working hours are 9.30am - 4pm Monday - Thursday, 9am - 12pm Friday. Orders received outside these hours will be processed the next working day; orders are only dispatched Monday-Thursday (Monday-Wednesday for perishable items). Hours vary during school holidays but we are usually available via email.

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Northern Ireland

Sadly, due to the UK leaving the EU, we can no longer supply Northern Irish customers with any products the have codes starting with an 'L' or 'P'. This is due to the requirement for all live or preserved products to have an import licence specific to the customer purchasing and the product being purchased. As each licence takes 2 weeks to obtain, and involves a considerable amount of paperwork, we have made the difficult decision to stop offering these products to Northern Irish customers. We can still offer equipment, i.e. products with an 'E' code, as these simply require customs documentation.

We apologise for the inconvenience and if the legislation changes we will review our decision.

British Islands

Delivery charges to the Isle of Man, Channel Islands (including Jersey & Guernsey), Shetland, Orkney and all the other islands we've missed, are the same as to mainland Britain (see above). The main difference is that delivery is likely to take a little longer, and for this reason we cannot guarantee next day delivery.

In addition, we cannot ship any liquids, so any 'wet' specimen ordered will be sent vacuum packed rather than in a jar.

International Orders

We welcome international orders but please note only non-perishable and non-animal derivative items, i.e. only those with codes starting with an 'E', can be sent.

Buyer is responsible for all import duties and taxes. EU businesses need to supply an EORI number before we can ship.

EU Delivery: £22

Non-EU Delivery £28

If you wish to buy something very small/lightweight, or need urgent delivery, please contact us for a postage quote, otherwise standard charges apply.

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