The life cycle of Mayfly begins with the hatching of eggs laid in water, followed by nymphal stages where they moult and grow underwater before emerging as winged adults. They typically live for only a few days to mate and lay eggs before dying. A mayfly lifespan is very short. The life cycle of Mayfly is discussed in this article.

Mayfly Life Cycle Stages

The average lifespan of mayfly varies depending on the species, but it typically ranges from a few hours to a few days as adults. The life cycle of Mayfly stages are discussed below:

Stage 1: Aquatic Habitat and Nymphs

• Oviposition: On the surface of lakes, rivers, or streams, female mayflies deposit their eggs in the water. Their usual method of depositing the eggs is to fly over the water and dip their abdomens slightly below the surface.
• Development of the Egg: Mayfly eggs are typically relatively little, ranging in length from 0.5 to 1.5 mm. They may have a sticky covering that helps them attach to submerged surfaces like rocks, logs, or aquatic plants. They are often oval or elliptical in form.
• Hatching: The eggs may hatch in a few days or many weeks, depending on the species. Environmental variables and water temperature have an impact on the hatching process.
• Emergence: Tiny mayfly nymphs leave the eggs after they hatch and start their aquatic life cycle.

Stage 2: Emerging and Consolidating

• Aquatic Habitat: Freshwater environments are home to mayfly nymphs, which are a vital source of food for a variety of fish and other aquatic creatures.
• Molt and Growth: As they grow and develop, nymphs go through a series of molts during which they lose their exoskeleton. The number of molts might vary from few to more than twenty, depending on the species.
• Duration: Depending on the species and surroundings, the nymph stage may last a few months to many years.
• Adaptations: Nymph mayflies have developed strong adaptations to survive in their watery habitat. Their bodies may be streamlined for effective movement in the water. They also have gills that enable them to breathe underwater. Certain species have developed adaptations for specific environments, such powerful claws for grasping boulders in swift-moving streams or unique mouthparts for removing algae off surfaces.

Stage 3: Reproduction and Adulthood

• Maturation: The mayfly undergoes a last molt after reaching the subimago stage, revealing its fully developed adult form by losing its skin.
• Reproduction: Sexual activity and reproduction are the main goals of adult mayflies. They usually emerge from the subimago stage soon after, mate, and deposit eggs.
• lifetime: Adult mayflies typically only last a few hours to a few days, which is an extremely brief lifetime. Reproduction and ensuring the survival of the next generation are their main goals.
• Diet: Adult mayflies do not eat, in contrast to nymphs. For their short adult life, they are entirely dependent on the energy stores they gathered during the nymphal stage.

Stage 4: Transient Adults and Death

• Swarming: Adult mayflies often come together in groups called swarms, which may consist of thousands to millions of insects. It is thought that these swarms improve the likelihood of fruitful mating.
• Death: Adult mayflies pass away after mating and egg-laying. Because of their short lifespan, they must focus all of their energy on reproduction in order to contribute to the next generation of mayflies.

Mayfly Life Cycle Diagram

The diagram of life cycle of Mayfly is given below:

Scientific Classification of Mayfly

The scientific classification of mayfly is given below: