Large White Pan for Aquatic Sampling

Author: Pat Wooden
Mississippi Entomological Museum, Mississippi State University, MS 39762
Uploaded March 10, 2026

 

The industry standard for pans is a ceramic coated butcher pan. While heavy, they can hold large amounts of water without bending and spilling and tolerate long field days. Plastic is a cost-effective alternative but expect to replace it more regularly and prepare for spills.

White is required so that the user can see all the organisms moving in the pan. Many aquatic macroinvertebrates are translucent and difficult to see in murky water.

When using a D-net, it is best to have a shallow pan and a deep pan. The shallow is filled with water and holds the sample after it has been transferred from the net. The deep is filled with water to rinse the net and ensure clingers are removed. The deep pan can be substituted with a large cup.

Students gather around a white pan filled with a D-net sample (photo by P. Wooden)