Flying ants
Stick8267
Posts: 154
How do the nests all know to fly at the same time?
Travelled 6 miles home and nests were synchronised all the way back!
Travelled 6 miles home and nests were synchronised all the way back!
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Flying ant day
"Flying ant day" is an informal term for the day on which queen ants emerge from the nest to begin their nuptial flight. In most species, the male ants also fly alongside them, although they are smaller and less noticeable. The queens fly around—some very long distances, and others going only a few meters—then mate, and drop to the ground where they lose their wings, and attempt to start a new ant colony. The mass of flying insects often attracts the attention of predators such as birds, and it is common to see flocks of feeding birds gorging on the readily available food.
This phenomenon occurs in many colonies simultaneously when the local weather conditions are appropriate, to reduce the effectiveness of predation and to ensure that the queens and males from different colonies stand a chance of meeting and interbreeding. It therefore has the appearance of being a 'timed' event or that the ants somehow communicate. However neither of these is likely to be the case - it is simply a common response to temperature, humidity and windspeed and time of year.0 -
thegreatdivide wrote:Flying ant day
"Flying ant day" is an informal term for the day on which queen ants emerge from the nest to begin their nuptial flight. In most species, the male ants also fly alongside them, although they are smaller and less noticeable. The queens fly around—some very long distances, and others going only a few meters—then mate, and drop to the ground where they lose their wings, and attempt to start a new ant colony. The mass of flying insects often attracts the attention of predators such as birds, and it is common to see flocks of feeding birds gorging on the readily available food.
This phenomenon occurs in many colonies simultaneously when the local weather conditions are appropriate, to reduce the effectiveness of predation and to ensure that the queens and males from different colonies stand a chance of meeting and interbreeding. It therefore has the appearance of being a 'timed' event or that the ants somehow communicate. However neither of these is likely to be the case - it is simply a common response to temperature, humidity and windspeed and time of year.
That buggers that one for some innuendo and smutty fun.
Love n hugs
DD0 -
thegreatdivide wrote:Flying ant day
"Flying ant day" is an informal term for the day on which queen ants emerge from the nest to begin their nuptial flight. In most species, the male ants also fly alongside them, although they are smaller and less noticeable. The queens fly around—some very long distances, and others going only a few meters—then mate, and drop to the ground where they lose their wings, and attempt to start a new ant colony. The mass of flying insects often attracts the attention of predators such as birds, and it is common to see flocks of feeding birds gorging on the readily available food.
This phenomenon occurs in many colonies simultaneously when the local weather conditions are appropriate, to reduce the effectiveness of predation and to ensure that the queens and males from different colonies stand a chance of meeting and interbreeding. It therefore has the appearance of being a 'timed' event or that the ants somehow communicate. However neither of these is likely to be the case - it is simply a common response to temperature, humidity and windspeed and time of year.
Either way, they're f*cking up my lawn !!!Science adjusts it’s beliefs based on what’s observed.
Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved0 -
Matt, better that than f*cking you UP your lawn...
Love n hugs
DD0 -
DIESELDOG wrote:Matt, better that than f*cking you UP your lawn...
Love n hugs
DD
Good point well made !!!
Ewwww............... the thought of aeveral thousand ants............Science adjusts it’s beliefs based on what’s observed.
Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved0 -
As I walked along Leather Lane yesterday, I felt a stinging on the inside of my left arm. Looked down and an enormous flying ant was busy biting me! Little b@stard!Do not write below this line. Office use only.0
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Ahh don't mind them as long as they stay in the garden and don't stray into the house. That also goes for any other insect and their arachnid friends.
Trespassers will be squished :twisted:0 -
As us cyclists are in need of more protiens, just pedal with your mouth open - hey presto, Flants snack attack
You know your a Cyclist when a surgeon tells you you need a heart valve replacement and you ask if you have a choice between Presta and Schrader.0
