Map | FAQ |
Flyfishing Entomology |
Life Stage Characteristics |
Larva (Nymph) | |||||||||
|
|||||||||
Adult | |||||||||
|
|||||||||
There
are 23 families of mayflies, all
aquatic. Mayfly larvae (nymphs) can be recognized by their gills located on the side of their abdomen and by their (2 or 3) slender tails. They fall into one of four categories, depending on how they have evolved to survive in various habitats. Mayflies are unique in having two winged life stages. Both can be readily identified by their wings, which are held erect when at rest; by their jerky up-and-down flight when airborne; and by their ( 2 or 3) long slender tails. The sub-adult (dun) has dull opaque wings, and the adult (spinner) has hyaline (transparent and shiny) wings. Wing venation characteristics can also be useful in the identification to family and genus. |
Created: 08/04/2004 Last modified: 05/21/2010 www.FlyfishingEntomology.com