ExploreInsects

Green Drakes

Ephemera

Green Drakes are beautiful insects that live near clean water. They are known for their large wings and short life, spending most of their time as nymphs underwater before becoming adults.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Green Drakes is a medium-sized mayfly with a slender, pale green to yellowish body. It has two pairs of delicate, heavily veined wings, often with a subtle smoky pattern, and three long, wispy tails extending from its abdomen. Its large, dark eyes stand out.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderEphemeropteraFamilyEphemeridaeGenusEphemera
Green Drakes
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Green Drakes

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Adult Green Drakes don't even have mouths; they cannot eat during their incredibly short life!

Massive swarms of Green Drakes can show up on weather radar, sometimes mistaken for rain!

Some Green Drakes spend up to two years as underwater nymphs before becoming flying adults!

They have a unique 'dun' stage where they fly, then molt again into a 'spinner' to mate.

Special abilities

Ability

Gilled Respiration

Green Drakes can breathe underwater using feathery gills along their abdomen because this helps them survive for years as nymphs.

Ability

Adult Sprint

Green Drakes has an incredibly short adult lifespan, lasting only hours to days, which helps them quickly reproduce and die after mating.

Ability

Synchronized Dance

Green Drakes can emerge in vast numbers simultaneously, creating a swarming spectacle that helps them find mates quickly and efficiently.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
30-70 mm
Size
15-30 mm
Lifespan
1-5 days
Flight Speed
5 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Young Green Drakes munch on tiny plant bits and decaying matter in the water.

Age differences: Adult Green Drakes do not eat; their mouthparts are non-functional.

Primary Foods

  • algae
  • diatoms
  • decaying plant matter
  • organic detritus

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Be careful near water where they live, and always stay close to an adult.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Green Drakes's wingspan?

30-70 mm

How big is Green Drakes?

15-30 mm

How long does Green Drakes live?

1-5 days

How fast can Green Drakes fly?

5 km/h

What does Green Drakes eat?

Young Green Drakes munch on tiny plant bits and decaying matter in the water.

Where is Green Drakes usually found?

Wetlands

How does Green Drakes hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Green Drakes have?

6

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