A MODIFIED LADELL APPARATUS FOR THE EXTRACTION OF WETLAND MACROINVERTEBRATES

Abstract
A modified Ladell apparatus is described which offers a low cost and efficient method of wetland macroinvertebrate extraction. Soil and leaf litter samples, immersed in Mg2SO4 solution, are subjected to agitation and bubbling to promote the extraction of macroinvertebrates. A further modification provides salt solution recycling. Fourteen floodplain taxa were recovered with extraction efficiencies ranging from 80 to 100% at a cost of 15–20 cents (U.S.) per sample.