Ephemeroptera

Common name:

Mayflies

Distribution:

Every continent except Antarctica

Habitat:

Freshwater habitats in decaying vegetation, under rocks or in sediment (nymph)

Diet:

Nymphs feed on detritus,algae and diatoms; adults do not feed

Number of species globally

3000

Number of species in Hong Kong :

Morphology
(how to recognize them) :

-Long thin abdomen
-2 or 3 threadlike tails
-2 large compound eyes and 3 ocelli (simple eyes)
-Large veiny membranous triangular forewings
-Small or absent rounded hindwings
-Short and bristle-like antennae

Diagram

Did you know ?

The mayfly population often matures all at once. These mayfly adults do not live for long (rarely more than 24hours) and have non-functional mouthparts and digestive tracts. Mayfly adults' only purpose is to mate and during that day, swarms of mayflies can be seen emerging from the water. After mating, the adults will die and females fall onto the water surface. Their fertilised eggs sink into the water and the cycle repeats.