Blooming of the Tisza - Tiszavirágzás - Szeged 2023

Tisza Mayfly on the shorts of a child. June 27, 2021, near Belvárosi Bridge. Image: Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify

The blooming of the Tisza (Tiszavirágzás), one of the most spectacular natural phenomena in Hungary, is about to happen in and near Szeged in the coming days. 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 hours, 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 in the river and hatch, and then the larvae will develop in the mud for as long as three years before the spectacular hatching.

Video credit: gmkl7p on YouTube

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.