Where do mayfly nymphs live?

Mayfly nymphs, also known as naiads, live in freshwater environments. While they are widely distributed in these habitats, a small number of species can also tolerate the brackish water found in marine estuaries.12

These aquatic nymphs exhibit various physical adaptations depending on their specific microhabitat within the water. Some species have flattened bodies and legs that allow them to cling to bottom materials in swift currents or enter narrow crevices, while others possess modifications for burrowing into silt or sand. To survive in these aquatic conditions, they are equipped with gills located on their abdomen, which facilitate oxygen uptake directly from the water.213