Images from left: Baetis rhodani larvae © Stuart Crofts; Mayfly dun © Kenny Crooks NIW prize winner; Ephemera danica spinner © Stan Maddams NIW prize winner
Ephemeroptera / Up-wing flies / Mayflies
Page editor: Craig Macadam, National Coordinator of the Ephemeroptera Recording Scheme. Please submit information or comments via email to info@ephemeroptera.org.uk.
Ephemeroptera are more commonly known as mayflies or up-wing flies. Here, the term mayflies is used for the group, of which there are 51 species. The true mayfly however is the species Ephemera danica. The mayfly has a fascinating life cycle, and is the only insect that has two adult stage, the sub-imago (or dun) and imago (or spinner).
In the month of the mayfly by Craig Macadam, published in Salmo Trutta 2003 pp 64-67, includes an introduction to the group, details of the life cycle and a calendar of when species are most likely to be seen in flight. The article has been made available by The Wild Trout Trust. » In the month of the mayfly - Craig Macadam – PDF-File, 1.6 MB
Ephemeroptera lavae © Steve Brooks
Ephemeroptera Recording Scheme
The Ephemeroptera Recording Scheme website, run by volunteer Scheme Coordinator Craig Macadam, and gives key information on the British Ephemeroptera including checklists, species descriptions and distributions. Further information can be found on the Riverfly Recording Scheme pages hosted by the Biological Records Centre.
Adult Ephemeroptera Survey 2008
Ephemeroptera Recording Scheme
The Ephemeroptera Recording Scheme is calling for you to record and submit adult Ephemeroptera records to help inform knowledge of the current flight periods of the various Ephemeroptera species. To date, this year, records have been submitted for 20 of the 51 British species with records from across the UK - from Assynt in the North to Dartmoor in the South. More poeple recording and more records are needed to get a better picture, including collecting specimens after the close of the fishing season so that we can see what is happening throughout the year. For more information and collection tubes contact Craig Macadam via email: info@ephemeroptera.org.uk .
In the 'standard' flight period tables the only British species that is currently listed for every month is the Large dark olive Baetis rhodani, however Small dark olives Baetis scambus crop up in winter and there's even a record of Mayfly Ephemera danica from New Year's Day. See article In the month of the mayfly by Craig Macadam, above. » Adult Ephemeroptera Survey – PDF-File, 389.3 KB
Conservation status for two British mayflies
Eight species of riverfy, two of which are mayflies, qualified for conservation status on the new Biodiversity Action Plan Species list. Inclusion on the list means that there is government committment to support conservation measures for these species. See here for further information.
Nigrobaetis niger Southern Iron Blue
Potamanthus luteus Yellow Mayfly
Recent studies
A Seven Year Study of the Life Cycle of the Mayfly Ephemera danica, by Dr Cyril Bennett, will be published in Salmo Trutta Spring 2008 - The Wild Trout Trust journal. This is with the kind permission of the Freshwater Biological Association.
The findings of the above study, together with Cyril's ten year study of the population of the Blue Winged Olive at the Leckford Estate in Hampshire, will contribute to a chapter on riverflies in Professor Norman Maclean's forthcoming book Silent Summer.
The findings of the above study, together with Cyril's ten year study of the population of the Blue Winged Olive at the Leckford Estate in Hampshire, will contribute to a chapter on riverflies in Professor Norman Maclean's forthcoming book Silent Summer.
Guides
Bennett C & Macadam C in prep, for publication 2009 Pictorial Guide to British Ephemeroptera Field Studies Council
This easy to use species guide has exceptional images to support identification. The development of this guide was supported, and is endorsed by, the Riverfly Partnership.
Harker J 1989 Mayflies Naturalists' Handbook No. 13
The identification of British (and Irish) Ephemeroptera is covered by two scientific publications by the Freshwater Biological Association (FBA). These keys enable the successful identification of most British Ephemeroptera and include extensive notes on life cycle and ecology.
Elliott JM & Humpesch UH 1983 A key to the Adults of the British Ephemeroptera with notes on their ecology Scientific Publication No. 47 pp101 Freshwater Biological Association
Elliott JM, Humpesch UH and Macan TT 1988 Larvae of the British Ephemeroptera: a key with ecological notes Scientific Publication No. 49 pp145 Freshwater Biological Association
Nb. There are recent revisions and additions to the British Ephemeroptera not noted in the FBA keys or the Naturalists' Handbook. Full details of these revisions and additions can be found at www.ephemeroptera.org.uk.
Mayfly in the classroom - The Wild Trout Trust
Mayfly in the Classroom is an innovative inititive developed by the Wild Trout Trust as part of its 'Trout in the Town' programme.
Through the programme participating classes learn about healthy ecology in river corridors and streams and the threats to these ecosystems. Combining the care and cultivation of mayfly nymphs in homemade classroom aquaria with a "release-day" visit to their local stream fosters a protective instinct within participants. The special link between the mayflies and the trout is also highlighted in the context of stream foodwebs along with the inter-dependence of habitat, water quality and diverse flora/fauna in both aquatic and riparian zones.
For further information contact Paul Gaskell at the Wild Trout Trust by email pgaskell@wildtrout.org or telephone 07919 157 267.
