Lakefly Resources
Welcome to Lakefly! Below are some useful resources for Lakefly monitors and coordinators.
If you have any question please email lakefly@fba.org.uk.
Many thanks to Ian Wallace for the Limnephilidae banner photo.
Resources for Lakefly Monitors
Lakefly Guide 2025
This guide is here to support you as you take part in the Lakefly citizen science project.
It includes freshwater invertebrate ID, health and safety guidance, biosecurity measures, how to choose a site, equipment checklist, sampling seasons, data collection, recording, uploading, and how your data is used.
Health and Safety
This briefing sheet outlines key health and safety guidelines for working near water, helping you stay safe and minimise risks while carrying out fieldwork.
Site Registration Form
After completing a Lakefly training day, please register your sampling location. Download the site registration form and email the completed version to lakefly@fba.org.uk. If you need help filling it out, feel free to get in touch.
Lakefly Recording Form
Upload your sampling results to the Lakefly database using our online form. If you have signal, you can do this in real time while sampling. Alternatively, download and print the Lakefly recording form to record your invertebrate groups in the field - just remember to upload your data once you have signal.
Resources for Additional Learning and Identification
Lakefly Confusion Groups Guide
Some Lakefly invertebrates can look very similar! This guide highlights commonly confused groups and shares simple tips to help tell them apart in the field.
Freshwater Invertebrates YouTube
Explore John Davy-Bowker’s YouTube channel @freshwaterinvertebrates for help with practical identification, a great visual companion to your field guide!
Guidance on Invasive Non-Native Species
Need help recognising or preventing invasive species? Download our Guidance on Invasive Non-Native Species Guidance document for key information on identification, biosecurity, and free NNSS training resources.
Lakefly hopes to engage Citizen Scientists with lakes, by offering an invertebrate sampling method that is widely accessible.
We’re currently working with partner groups for the pilot year and we’ll be expanding soon. If you're part of a conservation group, local community, or simply love lakes and want to help, please get in touch to register your interest.
Find out more about Lakefly and explore useful resources
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Lakefly
Lakefly is an exciting new citizen science project helping communities monitor the health of our lakes by collecting and identifying freshwater invertebrates.
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Lakefly Data Recording Form
Once you have completed your Lakefly monitoring, please use our online form to upload all your data from your Lakefly survey and submit your records.
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Lakefly Volunteer Online Training
This short online course will introduce you to the Lakefly project, the freshwater invertebrates we monitor, and prepare you for your in-person training.