HABITS AND STRUCTURE OF INSECTS. 



101 



CHAPTER XIY. 



HABITS AND STKUCTUKE OF INSECTS (CONCLUDED). 



94. THE May-fly, or Ephemera, is one of the most com- 

 mon insects in the Western States. They live only a few 

 weeks in their perfect state, oftentimes but a few days. 

 Their eggs are laid in the water, and the larvae live in the 

 water two or three years. At the end of this time they 

 come to the surface in immense numbers, and, shedding 

 their skins, come out as winged insects. At this time they 

 resemble their perfect state so closely, that the name sub- 



FIG. 97. LARVA OF EPHEMERA. 

 (Reduced from Figure by J. H. Emerton, in Dr. A. S. Packard's Directions for collecting 



Insects, Smithsonian Institution.) 



images is given to them in this condition. They often fly 

 a considerable distance from the water, alighting on the 

 ground and trees. Here they again shed their skin, and 

 then have attained their perfect state. 



