Sunday 15 August 2010

Flying ants

There were significant numbers of flying ants out around Portnahaven today - no idea of the species however.  Apparently they have evelved to respond to swarm in certain weather conditions - the females (or queens) flying up to meet with the smaller males for an aerial love-fest after which the males die and the females fall to the ground.  Their wings then drop off and they attempt to start another colony. 

We were covered with them for a while this afternoon - but they are entirely harmless.
Carl

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