Mayflies Summer Hatch

A familiar flying insect is showing up for the summer again along the Mississippi River.

Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, Winona District Manager, Mary Stefanski, says mayflies start as larva in the river and then hatch.

Stefanski says mayflies only live a very short time and they only live to reproduce.  

An abundance of mayflies indicates good water quality in the river and, if hatch is large enough, the National  Weather Service radar actually picks up the signal.

Stefanski says mayflies are a good food source for fish and a wide variety of birds.