Insect Order (Ephemeroptera)
EPHEMEROPTERA
Order Ephemeroptera includes both Dragonflies, Damselflies, Silverfish and Mayflies.
Taxonomy
Other Names: "Big Michigan; Golden Mayfly; Green Bay Fly; Great Leadwing Drake"
The Taxonomic Breakdown is the scientific way to categorize a partocular insect species from its largest group (Animalia) to its smallest (variable). The Genus and Species categorizations taken together make up the species' scientific name shown above, in this case Hexagenia limbata.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Ephemeroptera
Family: Ephemeridae
Genus: Hexagenia
Species: limbata
Characteristics
Antenna: Antenna are noticeably apparent on this insect.
Outdoors: Typically found across the great outdoors.
Six-Legged: Six legs are common to this insect.
Winged: Has wings to hop or fly over distance.
Description
The Giant Mayfly is also known by these other names:
Big Michigan :: Golden Mayfly :: Green Bay Fly :: Great Leadwing Drake
The Giant Mayfly has been identified by site users by the following descriptors:
large   winged   wings   flying   brown   black   yellow   antenna   transparent   six-legged   outdoors   garden
Sighting Guide
The general likelihood of encountering this insect based on a given month of the year in the state of Tennessee. Generally, the best sighting months are June through August with peak occurring in July.
Size
Below is a representation of the 'smallest-small' and 'largest-large' sizes commonly associated with the Giant Mayfly. Due to monitor differences, sizes may not be exact on your particular screen. Conversions to millimeters are provided for convenience.
Lowest-Low:
0.71 inches
(18 mm)
Highest-High:
1.18 inches
(30 mm)
Diet
It has a typical diet of the following: Plants.
Identifying Colors
Below you will find the colors most commonly associated with the Giant Mayfly. Both Primary and Secondary colors are represented in the showcase. Due to monitor differences, colors may not be exact representations.
Tennessee County Reach
The Giant Mayfly can be found in the following Tennessee counties:
Anderson; Bedford; Benton; Bledsoe; Blount; Bradley; Campbell; Cannon; Carroll; Carter; Cheatham; Chester; Claiborne; Clay; Cocke; Coffee; Crockett; Cumberland; Davidson; De Kalb; Decatur; Dickson; Dyer; Fayette; Fentress; Franklin; Gibson; Giles; Grainger; Greene; Grundy; Hamblen; Hamilton; Hancock; Hardeman; Hardin; Hawkins; Haywood; Henderson; Henry; Hickman; Houston; Humphreys; Jackson; Jefferson; Johnson; Knox; Lake; Lauderdale; Lawrence; Lewis; Lincoln; Loudon; Macon; Madison; Marion; Marshall; Maury; McMinn; McNairy; Meigs; Monroe; Montgomery; Moore; Morgan; Obion; Overton; Perry; Pickett; Polk; Putnam; Rhea; Roane; Robertson; Rutherford; Scott; Sequatchie; Sevier; Shelby; Smith; Stewart; Sullivan; Sumner; Tipton; Trousdale; Unicoi; Union; Van Buren; Warren; Washington; Wayne; Weakley; White; Williamson; Wilson
Giant Mayfly Picture (1)
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Close-up detailed view of a Giant Mayfly at rest on a leaf.; Credit: Peter S. of Acton, MA.
This image is original to
www.InsectIdentification.org; Used with Permission.