An invasion of Mayflyies in Winnipeg indicates the relative health of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers is improving, according to the City of Winnipeg's bug expert.
"They are a good indicator of a healthy water ecosystem," said entomologist Taz Stuart. "So potentially the Red River and the Assiniboine are getting 'cleaner.'"
Fishflies seem to be more common in Winnipeg this summer. A mainstay in cottage areas, the Mayflyies, also known as fishflies, are now flying all over the city, covering walls and windows.
"It's kind of odd this year to see so many of them in town," said Winnipegger David Wall. "We've seen them out of town, but to see them here in large swarms...it's crazy!"
Taylor Poirier was trying to order a hamburger at a drive-thru window, but was almost left with a filet o' fishfly.
"The guy in the window doesn't even want to open the window because they're just coming in the restaurant all the time," she said.
Taz Stuart said the Mayflyies take a year or two to emerge from the river.
But once their airborne, they don't last. Stuart said they insects don't eat or drink anything -- they just mate and die within a matter of days.
He said the insects act as a great source of food for insects and birds.
Much like moths, the Mayflyies are attracted to light. Stuart said they actually mate in mid-air.
Stuart also said the flies are attracted to sides of buildings becausethey are trying to stay warm. That's why you will typically seem them on the south sides of building, not the north.
The Mayfly is one of the oldest insects in the world - the species dates back 280 million years, Stuart said.
Stuart also said there are a couple of large population explosions every year. However this summer there seems to be more, smaller population booms.
This means the Mayfly may be here for awhile longer.
With a report from CTV's Jon Hendricks.
