What kind of mayfly? (1 Viewer)

Hi

This is my first post - sorry it's not about birds! I just took this photo of what looks like a newly hatched mayfly. I found it on the kitchen curtains. Does anyone know what species it is? I'm okay with birds and moths but not flies!

Hello Nick,
I think you may have a long wait for an I.D. Mayflies are amongst the hardest of insects to identify from a picture. Someone may get it down to a Genus, but to be more specific you would need to examine it closely with a good quality lens, or better, a microscope.

There is very little literature available on identification although the Freshwater Biological Association does have one reasonable guide, but it may be a little out of date. Mayflies vary tremendously in size from just a few m.m. to to 30+ m.m. in wingspan. Colour also varies a lot.

Have fun,

Harry Eales.

Hi Nick and from the Moderators and Admin of Birdforum,a warm welcome.
I hope you enjoy your time on the site and I can't help wondering if you have any relatives who post on BF

I agree with Harry. One often has to observe the rude bits thriugh a microscope. I coluld put it into species level only I am afraid.