- The annual 'flying ant day' phenomenon is set to return to Britain and Ireland as warmer weather persists.
- Swarms of winged black garden ants, Lasius niger, emerge from their nests for a 'nuptial flight', which is their reproductive phase.
- During this flight, virgin queen ants and male drones leave their nests to mate and seek out new colonies, with queens storing semen for future eggs and males dying after mating.
- This event typically occurs in July or August, favouring hot and humid conditions with low winds, ideally around 25C.
- While the swarms can be numerous and occasionally irritating, they are largely harmless to humans and play an important role in natural ecosystems, such as aerating soil and providing food for birds.
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