Ephemera Danica / Vulgata / Lineata

Of the three species, Ephemera Danica, Ephemera Vulgata, Ephemera Lineata only Ephemera Danica and Ephemera Vulgata are of significance to the angler in the UK. Ephemera Lineata is a rare Mayfly to find. The lifecycle consists of 4 stages:

1. The eggs which are dropped from the abdomen of the fertilised female as she dips it below the surface of the water. These drop to the bottom where the become attached to rocks, weeds and stones.
2. Nymphs which spend their time living and developing in small, open-ended tunnels which they burrow into the riverbed. The nymphs have 3 long tails and an long body.
3. After two years they go to the surface to moult. They are most vulnerable at this stage as they swim freely.
4. The sub-imago or dun emerges, capable of flying immediately. They fly to a rock or tree for the final moult where the true mayfly emerges.