That's because these elegant insects have among the shortest adult lives of any insect. Researchers believe the record for shortest adult life span belongs to the female mayfly called Dolania americana . During its brief adult life, the mayfly must find a mate, copulate, and lay its eggs back into the water from which it came. Though mayflies may be short-lived as adults, they play a crucial role in the health of streams and lakes. Anglers, for instance, know that fish love to eat both the flying adults and the worm-like larva, which often live under rocks on river bottoms.
Mayflies also provide important clues to water quality.
Large populations can indicate clean water, while their absence may suggest some kind of pollution problem. Unfortunately, researchers believe pollution has already driven two species of North American mayflies to extinction. Scientists, however, aren't the only ones keeping a close eye on mayflies. Poets, too, have become captivated by their sweet, short lives. Watch a video clip of a vapourer moth at work creating the next generation.