ExploreInsects

Giant Mayflies

Hexagenia

Giant Mayflies are fascinating insects that spend most of their lives underwater as nymphs. When they grow up, they come out of the water, fly around for a short time, and then lay eggs to start the cycle again!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Giant Mayflies has a soft, robust body, typically yellowish-brown to reddish-brown, often larger than other mayflies. They feature two or three long, delicate tails and large, clear, triangular wings with prominent veins, sometimes with an amber tint.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderEphemeropteraFamilyEphemeridaeGenusHexagenia
Giant Mayflies
solitary trait badgefilter_feeder trait badgeherbivorous trait badgewetland trait badge
Giant Mayflies

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

A swarm of these mayflies can be so dense it shows up on weather radar!

Adult Giant Mayflies have no stomach or digestive system at all!

Mayflies are among the most ancient groups of winged insects on Earth!

Their presence indicates very clean, healthy freshwater environments!

Special abilities

Ability

Long Underwater Life

Giant Mayflies can live underwater for up to two years as nymphs, breathing through feathery gills that help them absorb oxygen from the water.

Ability

Unique Molting Stage

Giant Mayflies has a unique 'subimago' stage, allowing them to molt one last time after developing wings, helping them become fully mature adults.

Ability

Mass Emergence

Giant Mayflies can emerge in massive numbers almost simultaneously, creating huge swarms that help them find mates quickly and overwhelm predators.

Ability

Adult Hunger Strike

Giant Mayflies has non-functional mouthparts as adults, meaning they don't eat at all, which helps them focus entirely on reproduction.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
40-70 mm
Size
25-30 mm
Lifespan
1-730 days
Flight Speed
5 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Young mayflies filter tiny food particles from water, while adults do not eat at all!

Age differences: Larvae feed on detritus and algae, but adults have vestigial mouthparts and do not consume food, focusing solely on reproduction.

Primary Foods

  • detritus
  • algae
  • diatoms
  • microscopic organisms

Foraging Method

  • Filter Feeding

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Giant Mayflies are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance and not touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Giant Mayflies's wingspan?

40-70 mm

How big is Giant Mayflies?

25-30 mm

How long does Giant Mayflies live?

1-730 days

How fast can Giant Mayflies fly?

5 km/h

What does Giant Mayflies eat?

Young mayflies filter tiny food particles from water, while adults do not eat at all!

Where is Giant Mayflies usually found?

Wetlands

How does Giant Mayflies hunt?

Filter Feeding

How many legs does Giant Mayflies have?

6

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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