Mayfly emergence

Posted on July 31, 2015 by Alistair

 

As with the dragonfly emergence, reported earlier, mayflies shed their exoskeleton in late July and early August and take to the air. The arrival of the mayflies makes for happy fish, bats, and birds. 

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One Response to Mayfly emergence

  1. Peter Jonker says:
    July 31, 2015 at 4:12 pm

    Fine photos and explanations as always, Alistair! I feel compelled to leave you an anecdote, as I had occasion to watch members of a mayfly species emerge from the water. It was astonishing! Whereas I was expecting the larvae to climb some vegetation, as do those of dragonflies, these did not. The larvae simply lay at the water surface, presumably held in place by surface tension, and the adults simply “sprung” from their respective casings like a jacks-in-the-box. It was a marvel to witness. I found an online video that illustrates what I’m trying to describe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDTMFVHxXLk

    Cheers

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