Limits RegistryPUBLIC RECORD
Limits RegistryFemales of the American sand-burrowing mayfly Dolania americana live as adults for less than 5 minutes, mating and laying eggs before dying, the shortest adult life of any known insect. Their nymphs, in contrast, spend about a year in the riverbed.
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Females of the American sand-burrowing mayfly Dolania americana live as adults for less than 5 minutes, mating and laying eggs before dying, the shortest adult life of any known insect. Their nymphs, in contrast, spend about a year in the riverbed.
The shortest adult life duration documented for any insect.
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Permanent ID limitsregistry.com/limits/LR-SHORTEST-ADULT-LIFESPAN-MAYFLY
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Limits Registry. LR-SHORTEST-ADULT-LIFESPAN-MAYFLY. Shortest adult lifespan of any insect. 2026.