Mayfly Magic

The aquatic insects are born in the streambed and live as nymphs for up to a year.

After mating, the females fall to the water and lay their eggs. The male and female mayfly act as food for hungry fish and birds.

The Dun’s (the stage between a nymph and adult mayfly) fly to streamside vegetation.

These spinners then swarm over water to mate. Clouds of these mating insects are often visible dancing in the air above a river. They usually live for just a day or two before molting into adults. The mayflies then become “Spinners.”