At the start of the season I heard quite a lot of fishers refering to the mayfly can anyone tell me what the proper name for them is ?

I've always known them as Mayflies but check here for a bit more info,

http://www.uksafari.com/mayfly.htm

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p9b5...eature=related

ephemeroptera

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an interesting mix of apathy and panic

Clive M

have they finished the new shopping centre in livingston?
one of the nicest pubs I've been to the withy's!

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an interesting mix of apathy and panic

Clive M

also called greendrake-

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an interesting mix of apathy and panic

Clive M

Go here http://www.wildtrout.org/index.php?o...340&Itemid=208 and click on the link for "Teachers Introduction". This will give you all the info that you could possibly need (including pictures).

The "classic" mayfly is one of the Ephemera species (either Ephemera danica (classic river species), Ephemera vulgata (still and sluggish water) or Ephemera lineata (rare river species).

paul g
very good nice link thats the second time in two days I've been on WTT websites they are doing some great work! are you a teacher or conservationist? Iam grateful there are people like yourself going to such great lengths to expand the knowledge and experiences of kids
well done!

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an interesting mix of apathy and panic

Clive M

ephemera, the genus, and there are 3 species, danica, vulgata, and lineata.

Correct, Johnnie. The emerging duns ( sub-imagoes ) are called Green Drakes, because of their colouring; the spinners ( imagoes ) are Grey Drakes. After mating and egg-laying (ovi-positing ) the females end up on the water, dying, with wings outspread on the surface, and are then termed, Spent Gnats. Why 'Gnats', I know not. These are the terms generally applied to Ephemera danica, the more common of the two species known to be extant. E. Lineata was extremely localised when it was about, south-east of England, I think; but I'm not sure if any remain. E vulgata is not as common as its name suggests, but I think I have seen them on the Eden -- a good while back -- and the secretary of Kirkby Stephen anglers, John Garner, reported a sighting last year on the upper Eden. TC

PS. What's the latest news on E lineata, Paul? Thanks, in anticipation.

Terry - I'm not sure but best bet would be to check with Craig Macadam of the ephemeroptera recording scheme (via buglife).