Where Did Flying Ants Come From?
WouterBesides being a food source for many species of birds, flying ants also help defend themselves against predators. The insects are also known to swarm, which is a social event that occurs during the spring and summer. Some people find them to be a bit annoying, but they are harmless.
When the weather is warm and dry, flying ants are released from their nests to seek mates. The queens then lay eggs in a chamber. The eggs develop into fertile male and female ants. After mating, the queens disperse to search for a new nesting site.
The female ants use their wings as a source of essential nutrients. They then chew off their wings to lay eggs. Some females can live for up to 30 years.
They can also be found in abundance in the rainy seasons. The mass of the insects attracts a variety of predators, including dragonflies. Besides eating insects, flying ants can also feed on food debris and seeds.
They are also known to swarm at specific land structures. They form mating aggregations around chimneys, bushes, and trucks. This social event is usually seen in communities. It is considered to be a power in numbers approach to protecting yourself from threats.
Flying ants have bent antennae, a narrow waist, and unequal-length wings. They are also very smoky. They can be red or brown in color.
During a swarm, some ants are responsible for searching for a new nesting site. Other ants swarmers fly to the new site and begin building up the colony. The swarms can last several weeks.
