Ephemera danica

Ephemera danica is a species of mayfly in the genus Ephemera.

Ephemera danica
Imago of a male of Ephemera danica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Ephemeroptera
Family:
Ephemeridae
Genus:
Ephemera
Species:
E. danica
Binomial name
Ephemera danica
Müller, 1764

Description

Ephemera danica can reach an imago size of 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) in males, while females are larger, reaching 16–25 mm (0.6–1.0 in). This mayfly, with its characteristic markings and three tails (Cerci), is the most commonly seen of British Ephemeridae. Imago wings are translucent with dark veining, while in subimago they are dull and yellowish with brown veins. Moreover, forelegs and the tails of the spinners are very much longer than in duns.[1] Mouthparts are non-functional, as adults do not feed.[2][3]

Typical curved body posture of E. danica, in the rest position

These insects are part of the aerial plankton and usually they are food for swallows, trouts and many amphibians and spiders.

Life cycle

The life cycle usually takes one or two years, but sometimes the developing nymphal forms may last for up to three years. Nymphs can reach about 30 millimetres (1.2 in) of length. They dig tunnels into the gravel in the beds of rivers and feed by filtering organic detritus. They emerge in Spring and move towards shallow waters.

Exuvia of Ephemera danica
The three Cerci at the end of the abdomen

The adults mainly can be found in May–June (hence the common name of mayfly), at the end of many larval stages. However adults may be often present between April and November. The lifetime of adults is very short (around four days at the most), hence its genus name (Ephemera).

Females fly on the surface of the water, dip the abdomen onto the surface and lay the eggs. At the end of this process females falls on to the surface and die.[4]

Distribution and habitat

This species is commonly found in clear water rivers and lakes with sandy or gravel bottoms throughout Europe and the British Isles.[5]

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See also

References
  1. "First-nature". Archived from the original on 2014-04-26. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  2. A teacher’s introduction and reference toMayfly
  3. Ephemeroptera-galactica
  4. The River Flies Partnarship
  5. Fauna europaea
  • Mutsunori Tokeshi (1985). "Life-cycle and production of the burrowing mayfly, Ephemera danica: a new method for estimating degree-days required for growth". Journal of Animal Ecology. 54 (3): 919–930. JSTOR 4387.
  • Catalogue of Life


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