Experts at Rentokil predict that this year’s Flying Ant Day could yield one of the largest swarms in recent history, attributing this to varying weather conditions that are ideal for mating flights. The alternating wet and warm temperatures create humid conditions essential for the insects while they take to the skies. Although Flying Ant Day typically varies each year and geographically, this event could lead to tens of millions of ants swarming simultaneously, a behavior believed to benefit their survival by overwhelming predators.
This natural event, when vast numbers of winged ants, known as alates, take to the skies at once in search of mates from other colonies, could be one of the most prolific for years.
The alternating wet and warm weather we have been experiencing recently is creating the perfect conditions for larger-than-usual swarms, as humidity is important in keeping the ants' wings and bodies moist during flight.
Despite the name, Flying Ant Day doesn't happen on a single fixed day each year. These swarming events can occur at different times across the country.
Though it may seem like a summertime nuisance, this swarming strategy is believed to help more ants survive by overwhelming their predators including swifts and gulls.
Collection
[
|
...
]