May, May Flies

May seems to have just began but then May flies!

It is May, and time for mayflowers, mayapples and mayflies! Spring is a season bursting with cherry blossoms, the scent of lilacs, and the landscape devoid of winter white. Just like the mayfly, we are emerging from the depths of winter and able to move into the light.

Mayflies are said to have been around before dinosaurs. “After more than 350 million years of evolution, they have perfected the art of life.” They start as an egg, turn into a naiad (water nymph!), emerge from the water, fully mature into adults to reproduce, and then start a family of at least 400 (wow).

Mayflies are nuisance pests and cannot bite or sting. They are, however, very attracted to light. And of course, this often results in massive swarms around buildings at night and piles of dead flies below lights and windows in the morning. In areas that see large swarms, mayflies can affect driving conditions and visibility. (So shut the outside light off at night!)

As we all know, mayflies start “hatching” from their water-larva state in May (at least now we know why the Name!), and continue to do so throughout spring and summer. So, next time you see a swarm of these flying pesky critters, it’s a sign that life’s getting a little brighter and winter has left the building.

Some species emerge on the stream bottom and swim to the surface, some crawl onto dry rocks or vegetation to emerge, and yet others emerge at or near the water’s surface. Water temperature is the most important factor in determining when hatches will occur.

Mayflies have an incredibly short lifespan. After the larva stage, female mayflies usually live less than five minutes, while males can live a whopping two days! But they don’t waste a single minute, spending that short period of time mating and reproducing.

They go by many aliases. In some parts of the United States, mayflies are known as Canadian Soldiers, while in Canada they are called shadflies. And, of course, the British came up with the most creative name of all – the up-winged fly.

Believe it or not, mayflies have abs. All have an abdomen consisting of 10 segments. Some of the segments actually have operculate gills on them. (For those not well acquainted with a mayflies’ anatomy, operculated gills means bony flap covering the gills). Knew you all knew that though. After all doesn’t everyone know that??

They’re an important part of the eco-system as they are a crucial source of food. As most fly fishermen know, often their favorite fly to fish with is - a mayfly fly. (say that 10 times fast). When hatching season begins, fishermen generally start using homemade flies resembling this glorious insect. They are a popular entree for many fish species such as trout, bass, and perch. But dragonflies, water beetles, birds and frogs also find them pretty dog gone delicious.

Humans even like consuming mayflies for their high protein content. In the country of Malawi, mayflies are baked into cakes. I expect all will be lookin’ for that recipe.

Mayflies don’t have mouths. Every minute is reserved for reproduction and feeding fish. They don’t have time to eat, so they never develop functional mouths. Although, in the larva state, mayflies have fully developed mouths, but their diet strictly consists of algae.

Mayflies do have a few babies, well actually a lot. And we mean LOTS of babies. The average female mayfly lays anywhere from 400 to 3,000 eggs. Typically, they are dropped on top of the water to develop into larva.

Unfortunately, mayflies are now under a bit of a threat. Mayfly eggs are extremely sensitive to pollution. Even modest levels of water pollution can kill up to 80 percent of their eggs. Scientists sometimes use the presence of mayfly eggs to quickly determine the purity of the water.

Mayflies have been famous through time. “These prehistoric insects were born to live in the limelight. Aristotle mentions the mayfly in his “History of Animals.” The poet George Crabbe used the mayfly as a symbol for the brevity of life.” Many people gather to witness the swarms that occur during hatching season. In some regions, the number of insects is so expansive that they show up on the local weather radar.”

Mayflies are harmless little buggers, but when it comes to malevolent pests that could spoil your next backyard shindig, they rate top of the list.

There is still much to be learned about these magnificent creatures, but one can say that Mayflies live life to the fullest. They sorta exemplify the phrase, “live fast, die young.” And they do it all in less than two days. Living life to the fullest.

The Library is living life to the fullest by providing an official notice of summer. Summer is finally here. We officially proclaim there will be no more snow. (At least for a day or two). It officially will be summer at the library the day after Memorial Day. Times R a changing. Don’t forgot to change to Summer Hours for the Library.

Just a reminder: Wedsworth library will be changing to summer hours on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. Hours are: Monday 9-1; 2-6; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9-1.