Mayflies - Biology Of Mayflies, Ecological And Economic Importance Of Mayflies
stage habitats species
Mayflies, or shadflies, are aquatic insects in the order Ephemeroptera. There are several thousand species of mayflies, distributed among 20 families. Mayflies have a relatively protracted nymphal stage, which occurs in freshwater habitats. The adults are a short-lived stage during which dense aggregations of animals engage in a frenzied procreation, needed to perennate the species in its local habitats.
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Mayflies have a simple metamorphosis, with three life-history stages: egg, nymph (or naiad), and adult. The nymphal stages are numerous and relatively protracted, generally lasting for at least one year. Mayfly nymphs occur in aquatic habitats, and account for most of the lifespan of mayflies. Some species have as many as 28 nymphal molts. The last, pre-adult stage occurs when a nymph rises to the…
Sometimes, the mass emergences of adult mayflies can involve extremely large numbers of animals. During the brief times when mayflies are very abundant, some people may view them as a nuisance, because the insects seem to be flying everywhere and can be bothersome because of this, or because their bodies accumulate abundantly on beaches, streets, window screens, and in other places. Rarely, the ac…
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