[4] The adult insects emerge before dawn in early summer, mate and die within the space of about thirty minutes.

[5] The adult Dolania americana has a pale brownish-purple body and membranous wings that are 10 to 13 mm (0.4 to 0.5 in) in length.

[4] Dolania americana is found in the streams and rivers of the coastal plains of the southeastern United States.

[6] In Florida, the adults emerge at the end of April or in early May,[4] and in South Carolina, in the first half of June.

[7] Having moulted into the adult form within about five minutes of emergence, the males patrol a stretch of river about 15 to 20 metres (49 to 66 ft) long, seeking out females with which to mate.

Their usual habitat is fairly clean sand in an area with rapidly moving water.