ExploreInsects

Mayflies

Ephemeroptera

Mayflies are tiny insects that love to live near water. They have delicate wings and are known for their short lives, sometimes just a day or two as adults!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Mayflies has delicate, often transparent wings held upright at rest, and a slender body that ends in two or three long, thread-like tails called cerci. They typically come in subtle shades of brown, grey, or greenish hues. Their unique winged subimago stage visually sets them apart.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderEphemeropteraFamilyEphemeridae
Mayflies
solitary trait badgefilter_feeder trait badgeherbivorous trait badgewetland trait badge
Mayflies

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Adult mayflies don't eat at all; they don't even have functional mouths!

Female mayflies can lay thousands of eggs in minutes, dropping them onto water!

Mayfly nymphs are pollution detectors; their presence means the water is clean!

Some mayflies have only two tails, while others have three, aiding balance!

Special abilities

Ability

Unique Metamorphosis

Mayflies can shed their skin one last time *after* developing wings, unique in insects, to harden their final adult body.

Ability

Underwater Breath-Holders

Mayfly nymphs have special feathery gills along their abdomen, allowing them to breathe underwater for years.

Ability

Mass Emergence Master

Mayflies can emerge from water in massive, synchronized swarms, helping them overwhelm predators and find mates quickly.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
2-50 mm
Size
2-30 mm
Lifespan
1-7 days
Flight Speed
7 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Young mayflies (nymphs) eat tiny plants and decaying bits, while adult mayflies do not eat at all!

Age differences: Nymphs feed on algae and decaying matter; adults do not feed and lack functional mouthparts.

Primary Foods

  • algae
  • diatoms
  • detritus
  • plant fragments

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Mayflies are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mayflies's wingspan?

2-50 mm

How big is Mayflies?

2-30 mm

How long does Mayflies live?

1-7 days

How fast can Mayflies fly?

7 km/h

What does Mayflies eat?

Young mayflies (nymphs) eat tiny plants and decaying bits, while adult mayflies do not eat at all!

Where is Mayflies usually found?

Wetlands

How does Mayflies hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Mayflies have?

6

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