Thousands of mayflies swarm town in Ohio - and it's actually a good thing
Seeing this many mayflies is a strong indicator that air and water quality are very good within the community and the surrounding environment.
Thousands of mayflies take over an Ohio town
MAYFLY TAKEOVER: Hundreds of mayflies took over a town in Ohio this week. Despite that annoyance, the creatures are a strong indication of healthy air and water quality in the area.
OTTAWA COUNTY, Ohio – Residents in Ottawa County, Ohio, were greeted by an unusual surprise while strolling through the area on Tuesday.
Officials from the Ohio Division of Wildlife stumbled upon thousands of mayflies in the middle of town this week.
Adult mayflies are small, soft-bodied and extensively veined-winged members of the Ephemeroptera family, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.
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Larval mayflies, which are referred to as naiads or nymphs, are aquatic (unlike adult versions) and some resemble adults, but lack the essential wings.
Hundreds of mayflies found in Ohio.
(@OhioDivWildlife / X)
According to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, adult mayflies live anywhere from 90 minutes to a couple of days, with the primary activity being mating to produce more larvae.
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These insects feed on decaying plants or live algae and can be found in a wide variety of habitats.
These creatures are also very sensitive to pollution and are only found in high-quality, minimally polluted environments.
Hundreds of mayflies cover a sidewalk and road in Ohio.
(@OhioDivWildlife / X)
"Because they are found in a wide variety of habitats and are so widely sensitive to pollution, they are a valuable indicator of water pollution," the Maine Department of Environmental Protection said.
This is a strong indicator that the air and water quality are very good in the community and the surrounding environment.
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This serves as a positive despite the crawling creatures taking over some areas, as seen in the video above, shared by wildlife officials.