Mayfly is a dainty insect with lacy wings and a slender, forked tail that trails behind it in flight. Mayflies are commonly called dayflies because of their short lives. Adult mayflies live only a few hours or a few days. They do not eat and usually have undeveloped mouthparts. Mayflies actually are not true flies. A true fly has two wings. Mayflies have four wings. Mayflies are also known as shad flies or duns. Imitation mayflies are used as fishing lures.
Young mayflies are called nymphs or naiads. They hatch from eggs laid in streams and ponds. A nymph breathes through gills and feeds on water plants. It lives for a few months to two years in the water. It then leaves the water, sheds its skin, and becomes a winged subimago, or subadult. Mayflies are the only insects that go through this stage. After a few hours, the subimago sheds its skin and becomes a full-grown adult. Mayflies are most common in early spring, but may occur until late fall. The nymphs serve as food for fish.
