Mayfly

Description:

Mayflies can be recognised by their short antennae, and either two or three long tail filaments. Their wings are held vertically over their backs when resting. The hind wings are much smaller than the forewings. The adult form of the mayfly, as seen in the photographs above is very short lived. Many species only live for one day! The eggs of mayflies are laid underwater, and the nymphs which hatch from the eggs live for two years in the water. Then on a bright sunny day, normally between May and July (hence the name) the nymph emerges from the water, and the adult mayflies break out of their larval cases. From this moment on, the mayflies have just hours to live. They quickly take to the air in a hurried search for mates. Once mated, the males die. The females lay their eggs in the water and then they die too. They are not true flies, but belong to Ephemeroptera, the most primitive group of winged insects

Habitat:

Rivers and streams, burns, brooks and springs – the names are varied but the flora and fauna all have to cope with the same thing: water that flows continuously in one direction. If you live here you need a way to avoid being washed downstream and ultimately into the sea.