Mayfly
A Mayfly is an invertebrate. Invertebrates are animals without backbones, such as caddisflies, worms and snails, that live for all or a portion of their lives in freshwater. The mayfly larvae lives under the water until its an adult mayfly. Once it is full grown, the mayfly flies to lay its eggs in another part of the river.
The scientific name for the mayfly is Deleatidium. It grows up to 2 cm long and has three long tails and well-developed legs. It breathes through gills that look like leaves on the sides of its body. Mayflies make quick, distinctive movements as they appear to undulate side-to-side.
Mayflies are most commonly found on the underside of stones, in clean water. In the North Island, mayflies are also found associated with submerged aquatic plants in cool, clean streams. Mayflies are an important part of fish diets in some streams because they drift in the currents where trout can easily prey on them.
Did you know? Fly fishermen try and imitate mayflies because they are a favourite food of trout.