Mayflies good eating

Some call the creatures icky, disgusting and an annoyance.But AJ, 9, and Jacklynn, 11, wholeheartedly disagree with others' preconceived ideas about mayflies.The Pavic siblings eagerly vouched for the insect Saturday during Put-in-Bay's annual Mayfly Festival at Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial."I like picking them up by the tail," said Jacklynn, mimicking how she would catch one.Said AJ: "They're interesting because they don't actually eat."They, along with their mother, Rhonda Pavic, traveled from Willoughby to observe and better understand mayflies.In between learning fun facts — dead mayflies are primary food sources for Lake Erie's ecosystem, for instance — the two colored mayflies outlined on printed paper and zoomed in on the insect underneath microscopes.They also learned swarms of mayflies mean Lake Erie and the water's inhabitants are in good shape."Essentially, we are trying to give people some insight into the lake ecology," said Nichole Fifer, Perry's special events coordinator and public relations officer. "It's important to show how mayflies play a role in that."North-central Ohio's influx of mayflies should migrate elsewhere by August. But Fifer wants the knowledge of mayflies to stick with people in all seasons."People don't really understand what they are," Fifer said. "We take that opportunity to educate people and show them they're not gross or annoying — but actually great."More about the mayfly: • Mayflies are insects abundant throughout the world and spend almost their entire lives in lakes or streams. • As adults, they survive a short time — anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. • Mayflies primarily become adults to procreate. • Mayfly eggs, primarily found in fresh bodies of water, can live underwater for up to five years. • The average mayfly's length ranges anywhere from one-fourth of 1 inch to 1 inch. • A mayfly is also known as a dun, fishfly, shadfly and June bug. • Mayflies are not harmful nor are they poisonous. There's no threat of infection with them. • Mayflies have neither mouths nor digestive tracks. • Mayflies don't have mouths nor digestive tracks. Source: The Ohio State University, Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial. AJ Pavic, 9, and his sister, Jacklynn Pavic, 11, make mayfly-inspIred crafts. The two Willoughby residents attended Put-in-Bay's annual Mayfly Festival Saturday at the Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial center. Register photo/ANDY OURIEL