Flying Ant Day

It seems that male ants are stimulated to take their mating flight on a warm day following a wet day and today was indeed such a day. A typical swarm as this is termed Flying Ant Day (although this may not be confined to a single day).

Sitting at the table I noticed insects flying, and realised that they were all emerging from the drystone wall by the border, where the ants nest. Also much in evidence were the female ants, rushing about their business, as though the entire nest was on high alert. The flying ants were not all successful, several landed in the shallow birdbath close by or on the lawn. I took several photos, another as an Extra.

A few years ago we were puzzled to find hundreds of dead flying ants lined up by the patio door - inside - and concluded that there was a nest under the house and the males were emerging through the airbrick but, having no exit, reached no further than the curtain. At least these were where they ought to be, outside.