Admire the ephemeral species 'reunion' on the river

In the late spring and early summer every year, millions of long-tailed ephemera floated to the surface of the Tisza River (Hungary) to find partners and mate before they died.

This amazing natural phenomenon makes the Tisza River near Tiszainoka one of Hungary's most attractive tourist destinations on the early summer. Tourists come here to see firsthand the millions of long-tailed ephemera (Palingenia longicauda) racing up the river to find their partners before dying.

The growth cycle of long-tailed phytoplankton begins with the larval stage. They grow in mud within 3 years before maturing into adult phytoplankton. Larvae live in small caves under mud in the riverbed, with about 400 caves / m ² .

After developing to adulthood, the animals only have about 3 hours to mate and lay eggs before dying. With extremely short periods of time, male ephemeral people rushed to find them a suitable partner.

When a mate is found, the long-tailed fleets mate with each other on the water of a river longer than 135km in Tiszainoka. However, the fleeting 'love affair' is not romantic. A female ephemeral is often chased and mated with 20 males.

The plankton will fly from 1 to 3 km before laying eggs into the river. After that, the egg will sink to the bottom and hatch into larvae after about 45 days. European nymphs will then develop for 3 years before developing into adult phytoplankton.

Tourists rowing watching the fleeting river on the river Tisza near Tiszainoka, Hungary.

The plankton paired together to form a spectacular statue on the Tisza river.

A tourist swims among the fleeting forest.

Many tourists are not afraid to wet clothes, soak in Tisza river water to take photos of ephemeral in the breeding season.

Millions of long-tailed ephemera find partners and deliver streets on the Tisza river.

The tail of a ephemera turns water on the river.

The plankton in the hands of a tourist.