The most common aquatic bug. Most dry fly and nymph patterns imitate this bug. They are commonly found in cooler freshwater environments.
Term used to describe a common aquatic insect which has a life cycle containing four stages; pupae, larva, dun and spinner. Many, if not most fly patterns are used to imitate this type of insect in its various stages of development. Various species can be found in both moving and still waters, being a staple food in the diet of trout and other fish species. Typically used to refer to the family Ephemerella.
slender insect with delicate membranous wings having an aquatic larval stage and terrestrial adult stage usually lasting less than two days
world wide, the most commonly imitated aquatic insect. Most dry fly and nymph patterns imitate this insect. Nymph stage of the mayfly lasts approximately one year; adult stages last one to three days. The adult has one pair of upright wings, making it look like a small sailboat. Mayflies are commonly found in cold or cool freshwater environments.
an aquatic macroinvertebrate of the order Ephemeroptera; larvae have three pairs of legs, one pair of antennae, three long tail filaments, and feathery or plate-like gills on their abdomen; sensitive to pollution.
The mayflies belong to the order Ephemeroptera (Ephemeroptera: Greek Ephemeros - short-lived, pteron - wing, referring to the short life span of adults). They have been placed into an ancient group of insects termed the Paleoptera (the dragonflies also belong to this group). They are aquatic insects whose immature stage (called naiads or, colloquially, nymphs) usually lasts one year in fresh water.