Mayfly Life Cycle and Ecosystem

The video describes the Mississippi River's final gift as it exits Minnesota: a massive mayfly emergence. On July 4th, billions of mayflies rise from the river, marking their brief lifecycle. The Upper Mississippi hosts the world's largest mayfly hatch, resembling a thunderstorm on weather satellites. After mating, females lay up to 1,000 eggs before dying, completing their lifecycle in a single day. The event concludes with a feast for the river's ecosystem.

What is the final spectacle offered by the river as it exits Minnesota?

• A thunderstorm

• A biblical feast

• A parade of boats

• A grand waterfall

What significant event occurs on the Fourth of July involving mayflies?

• They migrate to another river

• They celebrate their Independence Day

• They change color

• They grow larger

How long do the mayflies live after emerging from the river?

• One week

• One month

• One day

• One year

What natural phenomenon does the mayfly swarm resemble when viewed from a weather satellite?

• A hurricane

• A thunderstorm

• A snowstorm

• A tornado

What do female mayflies do after mating?

• They return to hibernation

• They change color

• They fly to another river

• They lay eggs in the river

How many eggs can a female mayfly lay?

• Up to 10,000

• Up to 1,000

• Up to 100

• Up to 500

What role do mayflies play in the river's ecosystem after their life cycle ends?

• They become a food source

• They clean the river

• They build nests

• They pollinate plants