[NatureNS] directional mayfly

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From: Nancy P Dowd <nancypdowd@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Jul 2013 20:05:50 -0300
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The mayfly was outside and its direction was towards the lake when I observed its behavior. So possibly it did aim for the polarized light. Interesting suggestion. 

Nancy

Sent from my iPhone

On 2013-07-19, at 6:19 PM, David & Alison Webster <dwebster@glinx.com> wrote:

> Just a guess but aquatic insects, at mating/egg laying stage, tend to be attracted by polarized light because this means open water.
> Yt, Dave Webster, Kentville
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "nancy dowd" <nancypdowd@gmail.com>
> To: "naturens" <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
> Sent: Friday, July 19, 2013 2:44 PM
> Subject: [NatureNS] directional mayfly
> 
> 
>> This mayfly (Ephemeroptera) landed on my shirt Wednesday evening. It
>> is possibly one of the burrowing mayflies (Ephemeridae). Perhaps
>> someone knows its ID:
>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/92981528@N08/9319239733/
>> 
>> I nudged it onto a paper to show its 2 tail filaments using the flash:
>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/92981528@N08/9319237905/
>> 
>> The really interesting thing about this mayfly was how it maintained
>> its direction. Every time I moved the paper for a better view it would
>> immediately move back to its original bearing (approximately south)
>> just like a compass needle. I have no idea what it could be orienting
>> towards (direction, sun, wind, smell) or if this is normal for
>> mayflies and perhaps other insects that emerge en masse to breed (such
>> as flying ants).
>> 
>> Nancy
>> 
>> 
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