Q.
Where are mayflies located
in a river, stream, or a pond and what do they eat?
A.
Mayflies are found just about everywhere
in flowing water - on and under rocks and
woody debris, burrowing in the sand and
muddy substratum, on plant stems and
leaves - you name it, they’ll be there.
They are not free-swimming, however, although
some do leave the substratum for brief excursions
into the water column. In ponds and lakes,
though, they are pretty much restricted to
the shallow water regions except for one family
that inhabits the muddy bottom in deeper water.
Mayflies are herbivorous, carnivorous, and
omnivorous. They feed on algae and other
microinvertebrates that they scrape from
the surface of stones, collect detritus by
scavenging or filtering it from the water
column, and some species feed on smaller
invertebrates. ~ Bert
If you have a question, please feel free to contact me.
~ C. E. (Bert) Cushing, aka Streamdoctor
105 W. Cherokee Dr.
Estes Park, CO 80517
Phone: 970-577-1584
Email: streamdoctor@aol.com
The ‘Stream Doctor’ is a retired professional stream ecologist and
author, now living in the West and spending way too much time
fly-fishing. You are invited to submit questions relating to
anything stream related directly to him for use in this Q & A Feature
at streamdoctor@aol.com.
Originally published May 23, 2005 on Fly Anglers Online by Bert.