That is a fish fly. It means you are residing in a wholesome ecosystem

It is an uncommon insect with noticed wings and a protracted tail. You’ve got in all probability seen one fluttering across the Windsor-Essex space.

It is referred to as a fish fly (generally referred to as a shadfly or mayfly) — and also you’re more likely to see lot extra come mid-July should you dwell by a huge physique of water.

“They’ve one aim of their grownup life — and that is to breed,” mentioned David Lowenstein, an entomologist at Michigan State College.

“I dwell about 20 kilometres from Lake St Clair. I am going to by no means see a mayfly except I’m going there,” he mentioned.

“Individuals who dwell proper on the lake… can see tens of hundreds. Maybe even thousands and thousands of mayflies. We’re speaking important numbers the place they will turn into a nuisance for folks on these transient nights the place they’re out in huge numbers.”

When you see a lot of fish flies, there isn’t any want to fret, Lowenstein mentioned. The bugs are excellent news.

“Fish flies are an indication that water high quality is de facto good. Fish flies solely emerge in locations which have clear water, good oxygen ranges and never a number of nutrient runoff.”

He is received some ideas for individuals who would somewhat restrict the variety of fish fly encounters they’re going to have this summer time.

“If it will be a fish fly evening, flip your porch lights off as a result of they’re interested in mild. Which may scale back their numbers a bit. Hold your home windows closed if you don’t need them coming in.”

Fish fly larvae dwell underwater for greater than two years, feeding on algae and crops. In southern Ontario, they solely come above water in the course of the summer time months to mate — and so they die inside days. Grownup fish flies haven’t got mouths so they don’t eat or chunk folks.