Millions of flying ants have been detected by radar over London and swarms of bugs could be seen at Wembley on Sunday, an expert has warned.
Flying ant season usually takes place in the South East of England from June to September - and it appears the creepy-crawlies have arrived just in time for the Euro 2020 final.
Gareth Southgate's squad will take on Italy on Sunday night and victory at Wembley would mark the men’s football team’s first major tournament win since the 1966 World Cup.
Pesky flying ants are expected to descend on large swathes of the country as the temperature soars.
Met Office radar picked up millions of the insects on Friday with swarms found over large parts of London.
And it appears we're just at the beginning of the season for this year's ants.
Adam Hart, professor of Science Communication at the University of Gloucestershire and a fellow of the Royal Entomological Society, told Sky News: "If conditions are right on Sunday there may be more than three lions on shirts at Wembley and all around the country."
Flying ant day usually happens when a new Queen ant is ready to begin her own colony and leaves the nest along with thousands of males.
He added: "The biggest ones are females - potential new queen ants - and the smaller ones are males.
"They often leave the nests which were raised on warmer days with light winds, just before rain is due."
England's football team should face the final Euro 2020 showdown under the same weather conditions as the 1966 team when they won the World Cup, the Met Office has said.
In what could be a good omen for the Three Lions, meteorologists have predicted the same 20C temperature and showery outlook which struck Wembley Stadium on the day of the final 55 years ago.
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It comes as flag makers have been working "through the night" following the squad's 2-1 semi-final victory over Denmark to keep up with the surging demand for England-themed paraphernalia.
An expectant nation is set to spend millions of pounds today readying itself for Sunday's showdown with Italy at Wembley for the chance to be crowned champions of Europe.
Supermarkets are preparing for a sales bonanza as Britons get set for the biggest football match since 1966, for which there is likely to be a record TV audience.
And residents on Wales Street, in Oldham Greater Manchester, renamed their road England Street, erecting a new red-and-white sign above the original.
Employers and school heads are considering allowing staff and pupils, respectively, to enjoy a lie-in the morning after the game.
A number of schools have already said they will allow pupils to start later on Monday if they want to with the final to finish by 10pm if it ends in normal time.
