Mayflies Order Ephemeroptera
This page contains pictures and information about Mayflies that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.
- Body length 15mm
Mayflies are a group of quite uncommon insects. They are considered to be one of the most primitive insect order. They have large forewing and small to absent hind wings. They have large eyes and very short antenna like the damselflies.
They can be distinguished by their three long abdominal appendages. Their adult life are very short, from days to a day. They do not eat and do not have functional mouthparts. All energy they need is collected and store in body when they are in larvae stages.
They mate in flight and lay eggs on water surface. The eggs then sink into the bottom. Their larvae are predator in the water, although they also feed on algae.
The photos were taken in Yugarapul Park along Bulimba Creek. They can be found on early spring to late summer.
