Page 79 - A Field Guide to Fairfax County's Plants and Wildlife
P. 79
fly
(Ephemeroptera)
Description Mayflies are extremely sensitive to
pollution and are used by Fairfax
Mayfly babies, called nymphs, County ecologists as indicators of
can usually be recognized stream health.
by gills along their abdomen
and three (occasionally two) In some parts of the United States
tails. As adults, mayflies have mayflies emerge from lakes and
delicate, slender bodies. They rivers in enormous numbers and can
hold their membranous wings pile up on roadways.
vertically when at rest. You can
easily identify an adult mayfly
by its triangular forewings and
two or three long, threadlike
tails extending from the abdomen,
short antennae and large eyes.
Distribution and Habitat
Immature mayflies live in both fast
flowing streams and ponds. Adults
live on land near streams and
ponds. They are found in all five
physiographic provinces.
Role in Food Web
Most mayfly nymphs feed on algae and detritus and some plant and animal
material. A few species are carnivores. Adults do not have functional
mouthparts and do not eat. Both adults and nymphs are important food
sources for freshwater fishes, birds, amphibians, spiders and predatory insects.
r 75 r
(Ephemeroptera)
Description Mayflies are extremely sensitive to
pollution and are used by Fairfax
Mayfly babies, called nymphs, County ecologists as indicators of
can usually be recognized stream health.
by gills along their abdomen
and three (occasionally two) In some parts of the United States
tails. As adults, mayflies have mayflies emerge from lakes and
delicate, slender bodies. They rivers in enormous numbers and can
hold their membranous wings pile up on roadways.
vertically when at rest. You can
easily identify an adult mayfly
by its triangular forewings and
two or three long, threadlike
tails extending from the abdomen,
short antennae and large eyes.
Distribution and Habitat
Immature mayflies live in both fast
flowing streams and ponds. Adults
live on land near streams and
ponds. They are found in all five
physiographic provinces.
Role in Food Web
Most mayfly nymphs feed on algae and detritus and some plant and animal
material. A few species are carnivores. Adults do not have functional
mouthparts and do not eat. Both adults and nymphs are important food
sources for freshwater fishes, birds, amphibians, spiders and predatory insects.
r 75 r
