Mayflies: a brief encounter - in pictures

Millions of long-tailed mayflies (Palingenia longicauda) emerge at once during the 'Tiszaviragzas' or Tisza blooming season from late spring to early summer each year. Photograph: Laszlo Balogh/Reuters

As larvae the long-tailed mayflies (Palingenia longicauda) have lived under water for three years. Photograph: Peter Kohalmi/AFP/Getty Images

The millions of mayflies rush to mate and reproduce before their short lives come to an end just a few hours after hatching Photograph: Peter Kohalmi/AFP/Getty Images

Long-tailed mayflies dance around each other in large groups on the surface of the Tisza river. Photograph: Peter Kohalmi/AFP/Getty Images

A long-tailed mayfly (Palingenia longicauda) looks for a mate on the surface of the Tisza river near Tiszakurt, southeast of Budapest. Photograph: Peter Kohalmi/AFP/Getty Images

Two long-tailed mayflies mate on the surface of the Tisza river. Photograph: Laszlo Balogh/Reuters

Long-tailed mayflies (Palingenia longicauda) on the surface of the Tisza river near Tiszakurt, 135km (84 miles) southeast of Budapest, June 12, 2011. Photograph: Laszlo Balogh/Reuters