Sex and death

Mayflies and other members of the Ephemeroptera  emerge from their larval state in the river to mate and die. The adult flies have no mouth parts because food is not on the agenda, only reproduction. They mate in flight, the female immediately lays her eggs on the water where she drifts and dies, probably to be eaten by fish. The male too expires after the furious dance of death has achieved its purpose.
Brief lives, and yet fossil forms of these tiny insects reveal they have existed for over 300 million years.

The Mayfly
by Douglas Florian

A mayfly flies 
In May or June. 
Its life is over 
Far too soon. 
A day or two 
To dance, 
To fly— 
Hello 
Hello 
Good-bye 
Good-bye.