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Mayfly

Ephemerella invaria

Range

There are more than 700 species of mayfly in North America. They are found all over North America.

Habitat

They live in and over clean lakes and rivers.

Body Traits

There can be many sizes. They are usually reddish-brown with large, clear wings. The wings have lines in them. They have 2 long tails.

Habits

Adult mayflies dance above water, mate, lay eggs and die in just a few hours. The young phase nymphs live for 2-3 years.

Diet

They only eat when they are in their young phase (nymph) in the water. Adults have no mouthparts for feeding at all.

Reproduction

Adults swarm over the water and then mate. Females lay eggs while they fly low over the water or they actually go under the water to lay eggs on water plants. The eggs hatch and young phase mayflies (larvae or nymphs) live in the water and eat algae and whatever settles to the bottom of the water.

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Ephemeroptera
Suborder: Furcatergalia
Family: Ephemerellidae
Genus: Ephemerella
Species: E. invaria

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