Mayfly
ExploreInsects
Mayfly
Ephemera (Mayfly)
Mayflies are delicate insects that often dance above the water. They have very short lives but are beautiful to watch!
Habitat: Rivers and streams
Appearance
The Mayfly has a soft, delicate body with two pairs of translucent, often veined wings held upright like sails when at rest. It is usually dull in color, ranging from brownish to yellowish, and is distinctively characterized by two or three long, thread-like tails called cerci.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderEphemeropteraFamilyEphemeridaeGenusEphemera
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Adult mayflies have no mouth or stomach; they don't eat anything in their short lives!
Mayflies are super ancient, with fossils showing they have existed for over 300 million years!
Scientists can tell how clean a river is by counting the different kinds of mayfly larvae.
Thousands of mayflies can emerge from water at the exact same time, creating huge swarms!
Special abilities
Ability
Fleeting Life
Mayfly adults have an incredibly short lifespan, often just a day, that helps them focus solely on reproduction before quickly perishing.
Ability
Underwater Breather
Mayfly larvae possess feathery gills that allow them to extract oxygen and breathe underwater in fast-flowing streams and rivers.
Ability
Double Molt
Mayfly has a unique subimago stage, where it molts one last time as a winged insect, making it the only insect to do so.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 10-50 mm
- Size
- 5-30 mm
- Lifespan
- 1-7 days
- Flight Speed
- 3.5 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Mayfly larvae munch on tiny plant bits and decaying matter found in the water.
Age differences: Adults do not eat, but larvae feed on algae and detritus.
Primary Foods
- algae
- diatoms
- detritus
- decaying plant matter
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
A key food source for many freshwater fish.
eaten by
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
Flying adults are eagerly snatched by birds.
eaten by
Green Darner
Anax junius
Dragonflies prey on emerging adult mayflies.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Freshwater
Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
Also known as
DayflyEphemeroptera
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mayfly's wingspan?
10-50 mm
How big is Mayfly?
5-30 mm
How long does Mayfly live?
1-7 days
How fast can Mayfly fly?
3.5 km/h
What does Mayfly eat?
Mayfly larvae munch on tiny plant bits and decaying matter found in the water.
Where is Mayfly usually found?
Rivers and streams
How does Mayfly hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Mayfly have?
6
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