Ephemera vulgata
In 3 days ~10% in a week ~30%
Ephemera vulgata is a species of mayfly in the genus Ephemera. This mayfly breeds in stationary water in slow rivers and in ponds, the nymphs developing in the mud. Ephemera vulgata can be told in both adult and subimago stages from the rather similar green drake (Ephemera danica) by its duller colour and slightly smaller size. The wings are more heavily veined and the upper side of the abdomen has pairs of dark lateral markings on each segment.
Ephemera vulgata is found throughout most of Europe. It mostly breeds in sluggish rivers and still waters such as ponds. This species is in decline, probably because of pollution of waterways by pesticides and heavy metals, and because the adult insects are disorientated by light pollution.
The nymphs of E. vulgata burrow into the sediment at the bottom of ponds. Most burrowing mayfly nymphs use the gills on their abdomens to create a current of water through their burrows, thereby ensuring sufficient oxygen is available to absorb through the tracheae in their skin. The motile, filamentous gills of E. vulgata seem to act as secondary respiratory surfaces and their presence is necessary... Wikipedia →
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More parks will be added in future updates.
Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Drake Mackerel sighting in London on a given day, based on 34 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 568th most-seen of the 1504 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 30%, if each day is a fresh chance.
May and June
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Drake Mackerel in London on a given day, against under 5% in July to April, the lowest months.
2nd of 6
Of the 6 cities where we can rate Drake Mackerel sightings, London ranks 2nd at under 5%. The best odds are in Stockholm (Sweden, about 10%).
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Drake Mackerel is recorded against all the insects logged in London (34 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
