Why a Fishfly?
Why name a business after an insect that many people associate with large swarms of mating flies that are known for coating cars, parking lots, and lighted structures for several weeks each year?
Fishflies go through several transformations in their lifetime. They spend most of their lives living in aquatic environments, hatching as nymphs, then continuing to molt into several stages of growth, before emerging as adults. The adult stage is the final chapter of their lives and typically lasts only 24-48 hours. This is the point they descend in droves to reproduce/procreate. After the mating ritual is completed, females lay the fertilized eggs and die.
Nature, Beauty, Life
– Pause to ponder the connections to nature evoked by their presence.
– Bask in the beauty in their wing structures – just look at our logo!
-Finally, their lifespan reflects the transitoriness and brevity of life.
What is a Fishfly?
Fishflies, as they are known regionally around the Great Lakes, are insects with deep ties to aquatic ecoscapes around the globe. Outside of the Great Lakes region they are often called Mayflies. Their beautiful presence signifies a healthy ecosystem for lakes and streams. Mayfly nymphs are an important part of the energy transfer cycle and the food chain.
According to the National Wildlife Federation, there are more than 60 species of mayfly in the United States and 3,000 worldwide. They are found in every continent of the world except Antarctica. Fishflies are cousins to dragonflies, with a long and ancient history in this world. Fun fact: Mayflies are consumed in several cultures and are estimated to contain the most raw-protein content of any edible insect by dry weight.