How many species of mayflies have been described worldwide?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

A mayfly (Ephemera vulgata) with delicate, veined wings and long tail filaments clings to a green blade of grass against a blurred green background. — mayfly An adult mayfly (*Ephemera vulgata*) in Europe.

Worldwide, more than 2,500 species of mayflies have been described. These insects are found on every continent except Antarctica, with approximately 700 of those species identified in the United States and Canada.1