A swarm of flying ants can be seen from space

In a dry summer day in July, the meteorological service of the United Kingdom expected to see on the rain radar. At first it seemed that in the South of England cloudy, but upon closer inspection, it became clear that it was no ordinary cloud. In fact they were alive.

According to experts, incorrect masses precipitation actually was swarms of flying ants, so dense in number that the space weather satellites have mixed them with drops of rain!

This insect is an annual swarming, commonly known as the "Day of the flying ants", although it's more like season occurring anytime between June and early September, with a peak that lasts a few days.

After a period of hot and humid weather the ants Lasius niger are raised to the sky in droves, cluttering the horizon, hurrying into the house and into their mouths, diverting tennis player in "Wimbledon".

All this, in fact, like the first ball for young female ants. Signaled by weather, these virgin Queens emerge from the nest, ready to start a new life; to ensure the best offspring, they spend their potential partners through a certain ritual. Releasing a number of pheromones during the mating flight of the uterus attracted a swarm of winged male ants, all of which are ready to compete for their attention.

Once the flight was over, the ants, the males die and the ants-the uterus return to earth, fertilized and ready to dig a new nest. If the attempt is successful, the female ant mated enough to fertilize all their eggs for life (usually about 20,000 eggs in about 15 years).

This is not the first time the flying ants are mistaken for rain drops. In 2017, the meteorological service of the UK noticed exactly the same pattern.

From these recent observations, it would be easy to conclude that the number of flying ants rising, but the entomologist Adam HART from the University of Gloucestershire said that, in his opinion, it is probably just an indicator of how sensitive our technology.

In addition, even if their number increased, he didn't think it would be bad. Although "season flying ants" is generally considered a nuisance, it is also extremely useful for British ecosystems. Not only do these ants are a vital food source for birds, as they dig their nests, has positive implications for soil quality in the region, which should please the gardeners. Although this year they no longer dream of rain because of the intense heat.

Translated by «Yandex.Translator»