Canadian soldiers invade Ottawa (1 Viewer)

[samuel walker]

A rare insect event took place today in Ohio.Canadian soldiers aka Mayflies swarmed the Ottawa National Refuge near Port Clinton Ohio. The flies numbering in the millions occationally produce hatches large enough to require snowplows to clear them from roads.The Canadian soldier term is from the fact that the flies hatch on Lake Erie and are carried ashore on the north wind. Annoying to walk through but since they don't eat they die off in a few days.
Sam

 

[Tammie]

A rare insect event took place today in Ohio.Canadian soldiers aka Mayflies swarmed the Ottawa National Refuge near Port Clinton Ohio. The flies numbering in the millions occationally produce hatches large enough to require snowplows to clear them from roads.The Canadian soldier term is from the fact that the flies hatch on Lake Erie and are carried ashore on the north wind. Annoying to walk through but since they don't eat they die off in a few days.
Sam

Thanks for the photo, Sam. Haw large is that mayfly? We get a few of them up here but they are tiny, no more than a half inch long most of the time.
I've heard about places in Southern Ontario that get completely overrun with them but I can't picture it.
One of your better shots, by the way!

 

[samuel walker]

The Mayfly is about 2 inches length for the body.Add another two for the forked tail.
Sam

 

[Nanette]

Canadian Soldiers?

Hi gang-

Grew up in Newbury, OHIO. (Cleveland Suburb in Geauga County). Growing up, I remember seeing "Canadian Soldiers".... however, what we called Canadian Soldiers look nothing like your picture. They looked like giant mesquitos!

I remember them making an appearance in the Spring. Also remember that Nelson's Ledges Park was loaded with them. They seemed to like the damp caves.

Does anybody know what I'm talking about?

Many thanks from the displaced Yankee!

(A group of large mesquito looking insects have been all over the place down here for the past few days. Not as big as the insects that I remember in Ohio, but brought back memories)

 

[paul mabbott]

But why are they called 'soldiers'?

The Canadian soldier term is from the fact that the flies hatch on Lake Erie and are carried ashore on the north wind. Sam