Can Ants Fly?
Yes, some ants can fly. However, not all ants possess wings. Only reproductive ants – male and virgin queen ants – have wings. They use these wings for a crucial event called the "nuptial flight."
The primary reason ants fly is for mating. During the nuptial flight, winged male and female ants take to the skies to reproduce. The queen ant needs to mate to start her own colony. After mating, the queen will shed her wings and find a suitable location to establish a new nest. The male ants typically die after mating. Why do ants fly?
Environmental Factors Affecting Flight
Successful nuptial flights depend heavily on weather conditions. Good weather is essential; no rain or wind is required for ants to fly. The ideal temperature and humidity vary by ant species. The types of ant you see flying will depend on where you are. For example, in woodland you may see wood ants. All ants require good weather to fly, with no rain or wind.
Identifying Flying Ants
When you see flying ants, it's usually during a mass emergence, which is why it's sometimes referred to as "flying ant day." This is when numerous male and queen ants from the same species take flight simultaneously. Flying ant day: when winged ants take their nuptial flight | Natural ... 10 facts about flying ants! - National Geographic Kids
Ants and their Wings: A Life Cycle Event
The presence of wings signifies a specific stage in an ant's life cycle. When an ant colony reaches maturity, it produces winged reproductive ants. These ants are crucial for the colony's expansion and survival. Ants with wings are actually just mature ants that leave their colony to start a new one. Learn all about flying ants and how to prevent them. When the colony matures it starts to produce fully developed ants that are both genders. The females are virgin queens and the males are...
