May flies and swallows

[xyzzy@bok]

Just watched the annual Mayfly plague down by the canal; the air is thick with them, all whizzing about like they're at a giant outdoor orgy; many flying in union; til a swallow zooms through their mel�e with it's mouth open like mad piercing hoover but it doesn't have much effect on their mass. Swallows look like they got it made in the shade, just flying and arcing and skimming the water. Not so; they have to collect thousands of insects per hour to feed their young. No wonder the Mayflies are hyper; they only got one day to live. They got to get a wriggle on; find a mate and 'do it' before they die tonight. Mayflies don't have a stomach - no time to eat. Is this accurate or did I get some of it wrong?

[Cetti]

That's was beautifully described xyzzy - felt I was seeing the feeding frenzy as well as you!! Really envy your having a canal nearby - and Swallows too, not one where I live. I bet the fish were also enjoying the feast as they leap up to snatch the flies - they love the nymphs too!

[Cetti]

Confirmation of a short and very hectic life!

The eggs of the mayfly are laid underwater, and the nymphs which hatch from the eggs live for two years in the water. Then on a bright sunny day, normally between May and July (hence the name) the nymph emerges from the water, and the adult mayfly breaks out of its larval case.

From this moment on, the mayfly has less than 24 hours to live. It quickly takes to the air in a hurried search for a mate. Once mated, the males die. The females lay their eggs in the water and then die too.