Which Insect Has the Shortest Lifespan?

Mayflies are the epitome of a brief adult life. The name of their order, Ephemeroptera, literally means "short-lived wing." While mayfly larvae (nymphs) live underwater for months to years (depending on species), the winged adult stage exists solely for reproduction and lasts only hours. The species Dolania americana has the shortest known adult lifespan: females live less than 5 minutes after their final moult. Adult mayflies cannot eat — they have no functional mouthparts, and their digestive systems are filled with air to aid buoyancy in flight. During mass emergence events, billions of mayflies hatch simultaneously (often triggered by temperature and light conditions), creating spectacular clouds visible on weather radar. Their synchronised emergence is an evolutionary strategy: predators cannot eat them all, ensuring many survive to mate. After mating, females deposit eggs in water and die within hours.