Discover great deals on the many hard to find and one of a kind items available only on ebay!

This site contains sponsored affiliate links.

Mayfly

more...

HomeHome
AmphibianAmphibian
ArthropodArthropod
AntAnt
AphidAphid
BedbugBedbug
BeeBee
BeetleBeetle
Black WidowBlack Widow
BumblebeeBumblebee
CentipedeCentipede
CrabCrab
CricketCricket
Daddy LonglegsDaddy Longlegs
DragonflyDragonfly
EarthwormEarthworm
EarwigEarwig
FireflyFirefly
GlowwormGlowworm
GnatGnat
GrasshopperGrasshopper
Hermit CrabHermit Crab
HornetHornet
KatydidKatydid
LadybugLadybug
LiceLice
LobsterLobster
LocustLocust
MayflyMayfly
MillipedeMillipede
MosquitoMosquito
MothMoth
Praying MantisPraying Mantis
ScarabScarab
ScorpionScorpion
Sea MonkeySea Monkey
ShrimpShrimp
SpiderSpider
TarantulaTarantula
TickTick
TrilobiteTrilobite
WaspWasp
Wolf SpiderWolf Spider
YellowjacketYellowjacket
BirdBird
CatCat
DinosaurDinosaur
DogDog
FishFish
MammalMammal
MythologicalMythological
ReptileReptile


The mayflies are an order (Ephemeroptera meaning "but for a day wing") of insects that grow up in fresh water, and live very briefly as adults, as little as a few hours but more typically a day or two. About 2,500 species in 23 families are known. Other names for these insects include dayfly, shadfly, fishfly, and Canadian soldier.

The nymphs live on the bottom of lakes and streams, usually under rocks, clinging to vegetation or digging in silt or mud. Most species are vegetarian, with some types being predators. The nymph stage may last from several months to as much as several years, with a number of molts along the way. Mayfly nymphs are distinctive in having external pairs of gills along the abdomen, as well as 2-3 long cerci at the end, giving them a bit of a frilly appearance. In the last aquatic stage, small wings are visible, a feature unique to this order.

The adult's one purpose is to reproduce; the mouthparts are useless, and the digestive system filled with air. The wings are large and shiny, with the forewings much larger than the hind wings. The males' eyes are usually large, and the front legs long, used to grasp females and often held in front when resting. In some species, all legs aside from the males' front legs are useless, and adults' entire lives are spent in flight.

It often happens that all the mayflies in a population mature at once, and for a day or two in the springtime, mayflies will be everywhere, dancing around each other in large groups, or resting on every available surface. This happens in mid-June on the Tisza River; this kind of mayfly is called the tiszavirág or "Tisza flower".

Both immature and adult mayflies are an important part of the food chain, particularly for carnivorous fish like trout.

Mayflies are also an industrial nuisance, as the large population of dead adults can clog the intakes of air and water supply systems. A good example of this is found in the nuclear industry when plants located near fresh water can have their cooling water intakes clogged by the corpses.

In literature mayflies can sometimes illustrate something hard to find and/or obtain.

There are two species, Pecatonica River mayfly and the Robust burrowing mayfly, that have recently become extinct. The Large blue lake mayfly is listed as vulnerable.

In certain regions of New Guinea and Africa, mayflies are eaten when they emerge en masse on a certain day.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]

Monarchs And More Arthropod Based Curriculum, Middle School, SpiralboundMonarchs And More Arthropod Based Curriculum, Middle School, Spiralbound $29.99 Mazon Creek Larger Millipede Fossil -Arthropod- Pennsylvanian Period - IllinoisMazon Creek Larger Millipede Fossil -Arthropod- Pennsylvanian Period - Illinois $95.00
(F704-121) Trilobite fossil trilobites extinct marine arthropod I love fossils(F704-121) Trilobite fossil trilobites extinct marine arthropod I love fossils $14.99 Paleozoic Era Trilobite Fossil ArthropodPaleozoic Era Trilobite Fossil Arthropod $45.00
Very rare Carboniferous fossil Arthropod in noduleVery rare Carboniferous fossil Arthropod in nodule $150.00 Arthropod Collection And Identification: Laboratory And By Timothy J. GibbArthropod Collection And Identification: Laboratory And By Timothy J. Gibb $62.95
Skechers Creature Blue 402120Lblrd Kids Arthropod Sport Sneaker Mesh UpperSkechers Creature Blue 402120Lblrd Kids Arthropod Sport Sneaker Mesh Upper $75.00 Los Angeles Zoo unknow arthropod Cu/copper souvenir elongated pennyLos Angeles Zoo unknow arthropod Cu/copper souvenir elongated penny $2.95
Geographical Distribution of Arthropod-Borne Diseases. 1989 PbGeographical Distribution of Arthropod-Borne Diseases. 1989 Pb $25.00 got arthropod? - Men's Funny T-Shirt New Raregot arthropod? - Men's Funny T-Shirt New Rare $24.99
Rare Pectocaris Bivalved Arthropod, Lower Cambrian of ChengjiangRare Pectocaris Bivalved Arthropod, Lower Cambrian of Chengjiang $26.36 The Arthropod-Borne Viruses of Vertebrates Theiler, Downs, 1973 Dj hardcoverThe Arthropod-Borne Viruses of Vertebrates Theiler, Downs, 1973 Dj hardcover $48.95
Very Rare Large Cretaceous Arthropod Fossil Hoploparia Sp. Lobster From MontanaVery Rare Large Cretaceous Arthropod Fossil Hoploparia Sp. Lobster From Montana $150.00 Museum Grade Fuxianhuia Arthropod with Eyes, Lower Cambrian of ChengjiangMuseum Grade Fuxianhuia Arthropod with Eyes, Lower Cambrian of Chengjiang $65.76
Early arthropod fossil from 6 pound Western Pennsylvania stone -5.5"Early arthropod fossil from 6 pound Western Pennsylvania stone -5.5" $25.00 Rare - Two Cambrian fossils of Kunmingella douvillei early arthropodRare - Two Cambrian fossils of Kunmingella douvillei early arthropod $80.00
Chengjiang Fossil Site - Tiny Naraoiid Arthropod Fossil -Cambrian Period- ChinaChengjiang Fossil Site - Tiny Naraoiid Arthropod Fossil -Cambrian Period- China $45.00 Zlichovaspis rugosa Trilobite Fossil Devonian Morocco Arthropod FossilZlichovaspis rugosa Trilobite Fossil Devonian Morocco Arthropod Fossil $300.00
Opabinia Arthropod Fossil Model Display Replica Toy Teaching PaleontologyOpabinia Arthropod Fossil Model Display Replica Toy Teaching Paleontology $14.99 Chengjiang Fossil Site~ Amazing Detail Naraoia Arthropod Fossil ~Cambrian~ ChinaChengjiang Fossil Site~ Amazing Detail Naraoia Arthropod Fossil ~Cambrian~ China $275.00
Dragon, Dragon Carpet, Centipede, Arthropod, Invertebrate, Animal, Dragon AnimeDragon, Dragon Carpet, Centipede, Arthropod, Invertebrate, Animal, Dragon Anime $50.35 to Rare unknown huge Carboniferous arthropod fossil eurypterid ? exuvia molt skinRare unknown huge Carboniferous arthropod fossil eurypterid ? exuvia molt skin $160.00
Very Rare Phyllocarid Fossil Arthropod Windom Shale New YorkVery Rare Phyllocarid Fossil Arthropod Windom Shale New York $125.00 Rare fossil arthropod Belinurus lunatus alien looking head not Mazon Creek !Rare fossil arthropod Belinurus lunatus alien looking head not Mazon Creek ! $70.00
Rare Arthropod Fossil Plate ~ Peytoia Anomolocarid & Aglaspid ~ Cambrian ~ UsaRare Arthropod Fossil Plate ~ Peytoia Anomolocarid & Aglaspid ~ Cambrian ~ Usa $595.00 Spectacular fossil Pennsylvanian arthropod (positive and negative)Spectacular fossil Pennsylvanian arthropod (positive and negative) $290.00
Simulation Trilobites Arthropod Plush,Lifelike 15.75" Cambrian Ancient Stuffed ASimulation Trilobites Arthropod Plush,Lifelike 15.75" Cambrian Ancient Stuffed A $51.99 Natural Trilobite Fossils, 1 lb Clearance Lots (500 Million Year Old Arthropod)Natural Trilobite Fossils, 1 lb Clearance Lots (500 Million Year Old Arthropod) $16.95
Arthropod Tremaglaspis, sp on matrix, Lower Ordovician, Trilobite, MoroccoArthropod Tremaglaspis, sp on matrix, Lower Ordovician, Trilobite, Morocco $460.00 Isoxys, Wheeler Shale, Utah, very rare Cambrian soft body fossil arthropodIsoxys, Wheeler Shale, Utah, very rare Cambrian soft body fossil arthropod $575.00
Arthropod Crustacea (Lobster Fossil) Thalasssina Anomola Pleisto., Belmunda, QldArthropod Crustacea (Lobster Fossil) Thalasssina Anomola Pleisto., Belmunda, Qld $300.00 Arthropod Representatives Specimen Paperweight Taxidermy Collection ResinArthropod Representatives Specimen Paperweight Taxidermy Collection Resin $25.00
Fossil Arthropod Tracks, Hellyer River , Parrawe, Tasmania, Australia (Ea9866)Fossil Arthropod Tracks, Hellyer River , Parrawe, Tasmania, Australia (Ea9866) $42.16 100 Live Millipedes Arthropod Bumblebee + Scarlet + Heat Pack100 Live Millipedes Arthropod Bumblebee + Scarlet + Heat Pack $157.54
Early Cambrian bivalved arthropod Tuzoia sinensis fossilEarly Cambrian bivalved arthropod Tuzoia sinensis fossil $120.00 Realbug Arthropod Collection 5pc Set - NewRealbug Arthropod Collection 5pc Set - New $40.00
Unknown Arthropod Fossil! Lower Cambrian, Guanshan BiotaUnknown Arthropod Fossil! Lower Cambrian, Guanshan Biota $4.03 Influential Passengers : Inherited Microorganisms & Arthropod Reproduction 1997Influential Passengers : Inherited Microorganisms & Arthropod Reproduction 1997 $29.16
Trilobite Extinct Arthropod Two Small Fossils in Display CaseTrilobite Extinct Arthropod Two Small Fossils in Display Case $14.99 Chengjiang Fossil Site ~ Naraoia Arthropod Fossil ~ Cambrian Period ~ ChinaChengjiang Fossil Site ~ Naraoia Arthropod Fossil ~ Cambrian Period ~ China $45.00
Western Eagle Workshop 4 Pack Resin Animal Insect Specimens, Arthropod Bug CoWestern Eagle Workshop 4 Pack Resin Animal Insect Specimens, Arthropod Bug Co $68.99 Early arthropod fossil from Cambrian Guangweicaris spinatusEarly arthropod fossil from Cambrian Guangweicaris spinatus $100.00
Dynamics Of Arthropod Predator-Prey SystemsDynamics Of Arthropod Predator-Prey Systems $52.00 Very Rare Cretaceous Arthropod Fossil Hoploparia Sp. From An Author's CollectionVery Rare Cretaceous Arthropod Fossil Hoploparia Sp. From An Author's Collection $500.00
(f705-65) Complete Trilobite fossil trilobites extinct marine arthropod specimen(f705-65) Complete Trilobite fossil trilobites extinct marine arthropod specimen $21.99 Science Zoology WallChart Arthropod Crayfish Spider InsectScience Zoology WallChart Arthropod Crayfish Spider Insect $215.99
Vtg Large Scorpion In Lucid Paperweight Predator Arachnid Arthropod Desk DecorVtg Large Scorpion In Lucid Paperweight Predator Arachnid Arthropod Desk Decor $25.00 Arthropod Fossils And Phylogeny By Gregory D. Edgecombe & Niles Eldredge *Mint*Arthropod Fossils And Phylogeny By Gregory D. Edgecombe & Niles Eldredge *Mint* $63.95
New ListingHarpes Trilobite Fossil Devonian Morocco Arthropod FossilNew ListingHarpes Trilobite Fossil Devonian Morocco Arthropod Fossil $200.00 Frankiezhou Simulation Trilobites Arthropod Plush,lifelike 15.75 Cambrian AncienFrankiezhou Simulation Trilobites Arthropod Plush,lifelike 15.75 Cambrian Ancien $47.54
Rare Lateral Misszhouia Naraoiid Arthropod, Lower Cambrian of ChengjiangRare Lateral Misszhouia Naraoiid Arthropod, Lower Cambrian of Chengjiang $31.86
Click to see more Mayfly items at www.ebay.com
Prices current as of last update, 07/11/25 7:01am.

Home Contact Resources Exchange Links eBay