The life cycle of a mayfly begins with a swarm of males above the water with females flying into the swarm for mating.
The male and female mate in flight. Once the male releases the female, she descends to the surface of the water where she lays her eggs.
The eggs fall to the bottom of the water where they stick to plants and stones.
Mayfly eggs hatch into nymphs. Mayflies may spend from one to two years in the nymph stage.
Adult mayflies leave the water to mate, only to die within one week or less.