Alderfly  (Sialis lutaria)

Adults are found in May and June (1); they are weak fliers and last for just two to three days, during which time they do not feed (4). The emergence of adults is synchronised, so that large numbers of both sexes are present at the same time. Mating occurs at night, and females lay very large batches of eggs on plants that overhang the water. A number of females may choose to lay their eggs on the same plant, which may become covered in large expanses of alderfly eggs (4). After hatching, the predacious larvae fall into the water where they crawl around in search of food; they take other insects, small invertebrates and worms (4). After 1-2 years of development, the larva leaves the water, and digs into the soil or waterside debris to pupate. Two to three weeks later the adults emerge (2).