Mayfly

mayfly, (order Ephemeroptera), any member of a group of insects known for their extremely short life spans and emergence in large numbers in the summer months. Other common names for the winged stages are shadfly, sandfly, dayfly, fishfly, and drake. The aquatic immature stage, called a nymph or naiad, is widely distributed in freshwater, although a few species can tolerate the brackish water of marine estuaries.

mayfly

The winged stages attract attention through mass emergences when they may make roads slippery, clog gutters, and taint the air with an odour of decay. Mayfly nymphs are important in the energy transfer cycle that occurs in freshwaters. Some species are carnivorous, but the majority of nymphs feed on diatoms, algae, higher plants, and organic detritus. Nymphs are devoured in turn by many carnivorous animals, especially fishes.