Mayfly
Species Information
Hectonichus [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], from Wikimedia Commons
Statistics
Scientific name: Ephemera Danica
Length:Â 1.5-3.0cmÂ
Average lifespan: Larvae 1 year – 24 hours hatched
Conservation status
Common
When to see
January to December
About
The common mayfly or the ‘green drake’ mayfly is one of 51 species of mayfly in the UK and can fly from April until September. Mayflies are common on freshwater wetlands, fast flowing rivers and still lakes. Larvae spend most of there life’s underwater feeding on algae and plants. They emerge in the summer as adults sometimes simultaneously in their hundreds but have very short adult lives. Their adult lives can sometimes only last hours during which time they display and breed. Many species of mayfly do not feed whilst they are in their adult stage as their sole purpose is to reproduce. The mayfly is named as one species emerges in sync with the blooming of hawthorn (or mayflower).
How to identify
Mayfly is the biggest and well know of the up-winged fly species in the UK. Adult may fly have broad clear wings, short antenna and three very long fine tail bristles. When not flying they hold their wings vertically closed over their backs. The common mayfly has a creamy green abdomen with brown markings towards the rear.Â
Did you know ?
Fishing flies are made of feathers and are designed to look like various species of mayfly because they are the favourite food of brown trout and the juvenile stages of Atlantic salmon.
How you can help?Â
Did you know you can help wildlife in your local river ? You can do this in many ways from reporting pollution to SEPA, by not flushing wet wipes down the toilet and even at one of our many conservation volunteer days. Check out our Get Involved page for more information on how you can get involved with your local river.