Mayfly
A mayfly is a small insect that lives in water for most of its life. They look a little like tiny airplanes with two big wings and a really long tail. Mayflies start out as eggs in the water, and when they hatch, they turn into tiny larvae or nymphs with legs and gills to breathe. They live in the water and eat tiny plants and animals until they are big enough to emerge from the water.
Once they are grown up, they crawl out of the water and turn into an adult mayfly with wings. But here's the catch: Adult mayflies only live for a day or two. That's why they're called "mayflies" - because they only live for a very short time and usually emerge in May.
During their short adult life, mayflies don't even have mouths to eat with! Their sole purpose is to mate and lay eggs back into the water, so their life cycle can start over again. Mayflies are an important part of the food chain and are eaten by fish, birds, and other animals.
Once they are grown up, they crawl out of the water and turn into an adult mayfly with wings. But here's the catch: Adult mayflies only live for a day or two. That's why they're called "mayflies" - because they only live for a very short time and usually emerge in May.
During their short adult life, mayflies don't even have mouths to eat with! Their sole purpose is to mate and lay eggs back into the water, so their life cycle can start over again. Mayflies are an important part of the food chain and are eaten by fish, birds, and other animals.