Blooming of the Tisza started earlier this year
Tisza Mayfly on the shorts of a child. June 27, 2021, near Belvárosi Bridge. Image: Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify
The blooming of the Tisza – called Tiszavirágzás in Hungarian – one of Hungary's most spectacular natural phenomena offering sights of giant flocks of swarming mayflies, arrived two weeks earlier this year. Szeged residents have reported observing flying mayflies, even flocks, as early as the first days of June.
Also called Tisza blooming, this is the hatching of Europe's largest mayfly and attracts nature lovers and tourists from all over the country.
The Giant Mayfly (Palingenia longicauda) lives mainly along the River Tisza - hence its common name, Tisza Mayfly. The spectacular hatching generally falls in the middle of June and lasts for approximately one week, to a different extent per day and location. The best time for observation is in the evening, generally after 7 p.m.
In the Szeged area, large numbers are observed almost every year at the spot where the Tisza and Maros meet, however, it can be observed near Belvárosi Bridge too.
During the Tisza blooming, large numbers of the larvae of the Tisza Mayfly hatch and fly above the water. After hatching, the adult mayflies only have a few hours to mate before they die. The eggs will sink into the river and hatch, and then the larvae will develop in the mud for three years before the spectacular hatching.
The blooming of the Tisza doesn't fall on the same dates every year, since the hatching of the larvae depends on various factors, like the temperature of the water and water levels.
The term Tisza blooming, or blooming of the Tisza, is the direct translation of the Hungarian name for the phenomenon: Tiszavirágzás.
Mayflies are protected animals in Hungary. Those who kill protected insects commit an offense and may be fined up to HUF 150,000. People driving on the water should also be careful when the mayflies are swarming. It is forbidden by law to damage the colony of the insects or to collect a significant amount of individuals. A fine also awaits those who drive into the swarming with a small machine boat and disturb or destroy the mayflies.
