Prong-gilled mayflies
Scientific name: Leptophlebiidae
Prong-gilled mayflies
Scientific name: Leptophlebiidae
Description
Predominantly aquatic during the majority of their life stages, Leptophlebiidae undergo a fascinating transformation to achieve their ephemeral adult state, living just long enough to reproduce. Remarkably, their entire adult life may last as little as a few hours. This fleeting existence often leads to misconceptions about their lifecycle. Contrary to common belief, they are immensely beneficial as indicators of water quality, with each species sensitive to specific environmental conditions.