Giant Mayfly
Other Name(s): Mayfly; Golden Mayfly; Green Bay Fly; Big Michigan Mayfly; Great Leadwing Drake
Characteristics: Giant Mayflies are common in the Eastern United States and can appear in large quantities in the summer months. They represent one of the largest Mayfly type insects in North America and dwell in and around water sources, laying their eggs in the water to help their larvae burrow themselves into the soil / sand below.
Giant Mayfly larvae are yellow to brown and black. They have an identifiable three-pronged tail and slightly resemble their adult counterparts. Adult Giant Mayflies can be identified by their twin filament tails, darkened wings and yellow and brown patterned coloring on their bodies.
General Adult Size (Length):
18mm to 30mm
(0.71in to 1.18in)
Identifying Colors: yellow, brown
North American reach includes (may not be limited to): Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virgina, North Carolina, South Carolina, Delaware, West Virginia
Category: Mayfly
Common Name: Giant Mayfly
Scientific Name: (Hexagenia limbata)
 Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Ephemeroptera
Family: Ephemeridae
Genus: Hexagenia
Species: limbata
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