Isn't it too early for May Flies? - Ask Extension
I'm in Portland and found a May Fly in the house. We still have snow on the ground from the winter storm, isn't it too early for these little guys to ...
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Isn't it too early for May Flies? #821275
Asked February 27, 2023, 5:35 PM EST
I'm in Portland and found a May Fly in the house. We still have snow on the ground from the winter storm, isn't it too early for these little guys to come out? Will it freeze if I put it back out? Thank you!
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Em,
Cool. The photos are great!
That is actually a green lacewing (Order Neuroptera: Family Chrysopidae) rather than a mayfly (Order Ephemeroptera). Here's a photo of a different specimen for comparison...
https://bugguide.net/node/view/458419
Even though they are called green lacewings, they can be green to yellow or tan and overwintering adults are typically less green. They have distinctive wing venation that you can see in your photos and the linked photo. Many species also have eyes with a metallic sheen like the specimen you found had.
In contrast, mayflies have hindwings that are considerable smaller than their forewings or have hind wings absent and they hold their wings back when at rest. They also have 2 or 3 long tails at the ends of their abdomens, which lacewings don't have.
Here's an example of a mayfly adult...
https://bugguide.net/node/view/196179
I think the lacewing will be fine if you put it outside. Just put it on a pile of leaves on the ground so that it can crawl in among the leaves during the coldest times at night if it wants to.
Enjoy!
Cool. The photos are great!
That is actually a green lacewing (Order Neuroptera: Family Chrysopidae) rather than a mayfly (Order Ephemeroptera). Here's a photo of a different specimen for comparison...
https://bugguide.net/node/view/458419
Even though they are called green lacewings, they can be green to yellow or tan and overwintering adults are typically less green. They have distinctive wing venation that you can see in your photos and the linked photo. Many species also have eyes with a metallic sheen like the specimen you found had.
In contrast, mayflies have hindwings that are considerable smaller than their forewings or have hind wings absent and they hold their wings back when at rest. They also have 2 or 3 long tails at the ends of their abdomens, which lacewings don't have.
Here's an example of a mayfly adult...
https://bugguide.net/node/view/196179
I think the lacewing will be fine if you put it outside. Just put it on a pile of leaves on the ground so that it can crawl in among the leaves during the coldest times at night if it wants to.
Enjoy!
