# The Waterbug App > Identify Australian waterbugs to assess waterway health for citizen science. (iPhone/iPad app by Michael Sharman.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-waterbug-app/id926215557 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Michael Sharman](https://appshunter.io/developer/926215556) - Category: Education - Price: Free - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 15.0 · 59 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2014-10-16 - Data updated: 2026-08-17 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-waterbug-app/id926215557/reviews.md ## What is The Waterbug App? Identify waterbugs (freshwater invertebrates) from Australia, assess the health of a river/creek/wetland and submit data to contribute to the citizen science program - The National Waterbug Blitz. ## Key features - Waterbug identification - River health assessment - Citizen science contribution - Data submission - Australian freshwater invertebrates ## Recent user reviews (8 of 8) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-waterbug-app/id926215557/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Decent minus an error. *2018-04-20, version 1.2.2* I started this up, and the screen was upside down compared to the actual screen orientation. It’s all good minus this nib. ### 5/5 — Fly maker *2017-08-11, version 1.2.2* I fly fish and find your Ap a very useful way to identify what is in the water. ### 5/5 — If only all field guides were this good *2017-08-10, version 1.2.2* This app is a very helpful resource for the field identification of waterbugs. Great for citizen scientists, enthusiasts and freshwater ecologists in the field. There is also lots of other useful information for each Waterbug including size, habitat, movement, confused with and SIGNAL scores. Great work!! ### 5/5 — Speedbug is a must! *2016-12-09, version 1.2.2* Love the simple language and illustrations. A great app for beginners and developing freshwater ecologists. ### 5/5 — Excellent *2016-11-18, version 1.2.2* Excellent ### 5/5 — Oh yes! *2016-11-18, version 1.2.2* Now this is a great app for weekend paddles in Ye creek with the kids! ### 4/5 — Getting there *2015-05-24, version 1.0.4* The book is an absolute gem but this app is just a bit...well....buggy. Pictures don't fit the screen, the hand drawn pictures are cute but diminish the experience and navigation is clunky, but the detail is there if you persist. I'd be disappointed if I had paid something but given it costs nothing we should all be grateful for such easy access to the awesome information you will find here. Fantastic for the fly fisherman out there and any amateur bug enthusiast. ### 5/5 — Best aquatic water invertebrate app in Southern Hemisphere! *2015-03-26, version 1.0.4* If you live in Australia the best app for the south-east hands down. A model to be replicated everywhere. ## Frequently asked questions about The Waterbug App ### What is The Waterbug App used for? The Waterbug App helps you identify freshwater invertebrates in Australia and assess the health of local waterways. You can then submit this data to contribute to the National Waterbug Blitz citizen science program. ### Is The Waterbug App free to use? Yes, The Waterbug App is completely free to download and use. It does not have any in-app purchases or advertisements. ### What devices support The Waterbug App? The Waterbug App is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. It is designed for Apple's iOS operating system. ### How often is The Waterbug App updated? The app was last updated on September 17, 2023, to version 2.0.3.5. This indicates a commitment to maintaining and improving the application. ### What age rating is The Waterbug App? The Waterbug App has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for young learners and families interested in nature and science. ### Can I use The Waterbug App offline? The provided data does not specify offline functionality. However, for data submission to the citizen science program, an internet connection would likely be required. ### What kind of learning methodology does The Waterbug App use? The app employs an observational learning methodology, encouraging users to actively identify and record data about their local environment. This hands-on approach fosters engagement with ecological concepts. ### Does The Waterbug App offer certifications for participation? The provided description does not mention any certifications. The primary focus is on contributing data to the National Waterbug Blitz citizen science program. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.0.4 — 2026-08-12 This update makes recording and syncing your waterbug surveys easier: • More detailed feedback while syncing, so you can see what's uploading and when your data has synced. • Add photos to a sample from your device's photo gallery, as well as the camera. • Record and edit the date a sample was collected. ### 2.0.3.5 — 2023-09-17 Added better diagnostic logging. Fixed an issue where a taxon can't be saved or deleted. ### 2.0.2.3 — 2023-09-06 Added a close button to the help screen so its easy to return to a sample. ### 2.0.1.9 — 2022-09-07 - Improved the photo gallery, it now has a link to show the taxon details. - Gives an option to discard unsaved survey edits. ### 2.0.0 — 2021-09-28 Syncronises sample data between phone and server. Allows editing of existing samples. Allows adding unknown bugs to samples. Adds a notes field and checkbox to indicate incomplete samples. ## Apps similar to The Waterbug App | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [NatureMapr data collector](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/naturemapr-data-collector/id1042299523) | — | Free | Education | | [ClimateWatch \| SPOTTERON](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/climatewatch-spotteron/id1552422143) | — | Free | Education | | [EyeOnWater - Australia](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eyeonwater-australia/id1370964492) | — | Free | Education | | [Soils Near Me NSW](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/soils-near-me-nsw/id1632170194) | — | Free | Education | | [Hungry Birds](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hungry-birds/id1222199546) | — | Free | Education | | [TurtleSAT - mapping tool](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/turtlesat-mapping-tool/id1238032751) | — | Free | Education | --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-17.*