Order Ephemeroptera – mayflies

Ephemeroptera means “short-lived wing”

Habitat: fast flowing streams and shallow ponds with high levels of dissolved oxygen.

Traits:

• Adults live on land 1-2 days, long enough to mate, often in swarming flights
• Females deposit eggs on the surface of a pond or stream, or object in water.
• Eggs hatch into nymphs that feed on algae and detritus.
• Nymphs are aquatic and live 1-2 years before emerging as winged adults.