vayda on Nostr: 🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨 Due to their sensitivity to pollution in the early ...
🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨
Due to their sensitivity to pollution in the early stages of life, the presence of Burrowing Mayflies has long been used as a means of judging the purity of the Great Lakes ecosystem. Before pollution and sewage were allowed to pour into the Great Lakes, swarms of Burrowing Mayflies would inhabit the area creating a nuisance for residents. After pollution was allowed into the waterways and lakes, the Burrowing Mayflies all but disappeared.
Burrowing Mayflies have large yellow wings with a net-like vein pattern on them. Their bodies are yellow with brown diagonal stripes on each segment of the abdomen. A long neck separates the head from the tubular abdomen. Two large eyes flank the sides of the head. The front pair of legs may be lifted like antennae.
Burrowing Mayfly larvae are a major food source for fish and are used as live bait by fisherman. Artificial lures mimicking their body shape and color are also used by anglers to catch fish. Adults are also a major food source for birds, insects and spiders. Because both life stages are eaten by a variety of other creatures, survival of the species depends on mass reproduction which can lead to those annoying swarms seen decades ago. Nowadays, such a sight around the Great Lakes region might be greeted with delight and curiosity.
Due to their sensitivity to pollution in the early stages of life, the presence of Burrowing Mayflies has long been used as a means of judging the purity of the Great Lakes ecosystem. Before pollution and sewage were allowed to pour into the Great Lakes, swarms of Burrowing Mayflies would inhabit the area creating a nuisance for residents. After pollution was allowed into the waterways and lakes, the Burrowing Mayflies all but disappeared.
Burrowing Mayflies have large yellow wings with a net-like vein pattern on them. Their bodies are yellow with brown diagonal stripes on each segment of the abdomen. A long neck separates the head from the tubular abdomen. Two large eyes flank the sides of the head. The front pair of legs may be lifted like antennae.
Burrowing Mayfly larvae are a major food source for fish and are used as live bait by fisherman. Artificial lures mimicking their body shape and color are also used by anglers to catch fish. Adults are also a major food source for birds, insects and spiders. Because both life stages are eaten by a variety of other creatures, survival of the species depends on mass reproduction which can lead to those annoying swarms seen decades ago. Nowadays, such a sight around the Great Lakes region might be greeted with delight and curiosity.