Mayfly Subimago Exuvia

Mayflies are aquatic insects that spend the majority of their lives in water. The nymphs float to the surface of the water when they are ready to become subimagos. They split open on the surface of the water, and the subimago emerges. The subimago then flies off when able and will molt again into the imago (adult) stage within a day or two. They need the extra molt because when molting to imago, their wings and legs grow longer, which is important for flight and mating. The imago only lives for a day or so, then dies.

Habitat: Near a light in a semi-rural area. I frequently get mayflies at my moth lights.