More unidentified critters
I photographed three of these on recent trips to Arkansas and one at a local park here in Southern Cal. Hoping you could help me identify them.
Thanks
Rus
Hi Rus,
This Mayfly is one of your Arkansas critters. Mayflies belong to the Order Ephemeroptera which alludes to the fact that they only live a day, though some live several days. May is not the only month they are found. When they emerge as adults, they usually do so in great numbers. Their nymphs or naiads are aquatic. Your photo is stunning, and will result in a new page for our site.
Identification Update:
(08/01/2005) The mayfly is a male subimago of the genus Hexagenia. The nymphs are burrowers in mud and debris in clean streams and rivers. This one is related to the mayflies that occasionally form huge emergence swarms on the upper Mississippi and the Great Lakes. Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
R. Wills Flowers
Center for Biological Control
Florida A&M University
Tallahassee, FL 32307