Mayflies (also known as shadflies or fishflies in Canada and the upper Midwestern United States, as Canadian soldiers in the American Great Lakes region, [2] and as up-winged flies in the United Kingdom) are aquatic insects belonging to the order Ephemeroptera.

May 20, 2024 · Mayflies are said to have been around before dinosaurs. After more than 350 million years of evolution, they have perfected the art of life. They start as an egg, turn into a naiad, emerge from the water, fully mature into adults to reproduce, and then start a …

Apr 20, 2022 · Mayflies are slender and elongated insects with two pairs of wings, six legs, and a set of antennae. Their styli are usually longer than their body. The size and...

Feb 26, 2025 · mayfly, (order Ephemeroptera), any member of a group of insects known for their extremely short adult life spans and emergence in large numbers in the summer months. Worldwide, more than 2,500 species of mayflies have been described, about 700 of them in the United States and Canada.

Learn facts about the mayflies' habitat, diet, life history, and more.

Mar 17, 2025 · Mayflies don't bite and adults only live for a day, but you don't want to get stuck in a swarm. Here's what to know about the mayfly insect. What Does a Mayfly Insect Look Like? Mayfly Lifespan: How Long Do Mayflies Live? Do Mayflies Bite or Sting? How Birds Eat Mayflies? Do Mayflies Molt? What Does a Mayfly Insect Look Like?

Mayfly Central was launched on the web in 1995 and was the first site available on the internet dedicated to information about any single order of insects; in this instance, the Ephemeroptera (or mayflies).

Apr 17, 2024 · Mayflies are fascinating insects that draw quite the attention from nature lovers and scientists alike. With their slender bodies and delicate wings held upright, they are an attractive sight. Large compound eyes, short antennae, and two long, threadlike cerci on their rear add to their unique appearance.

Mayflies are nuisance pests and cannot bite or sting. They are, however, very attracted to light, which can result in massive swarms around buildings at night and piles of dead flies below lights and windows in the morning.

The common, or 'green drake', mayfly is one of 51 species of mayfly in the UK, and is on the wing from April until September (nymphs are present all year-round). Mayflies are common around freshwater wetlands, from fast-flowing rivers to still lakes, where the larvae spend their lives underwater, feeding on algae and plants.