Irene Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 How do ants know when to fly?They seem to know when all the others everywhere else are taking flight.... HOW DO THEY KNOW Yesterday afternoon I was doing a bit of pottering around the garden. I bent down to do some dead-heading in one of the planters near to the conservatory, when I came face to face with, what seemed to me, hundreds of ants throwing a 'wobbler' and the ones with wings taking off in whatever direction was appropriate. Needless to say, I did the one-minute-mile back into the house and closed everything in sight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 How do ants know when to fly?They seem to know when all the others everywhere else are taking flight.... HOW DO THEY KNOW Yesterday afternoon I was doing a bit of pottering around the garden. I bent down to do some dead-heading in one of the planters near to the conservatory, when I came face to face with, what seemed to me, hundreds of ants throwing a 'wobbler' and the ones with wings taking off in whatever direction was appropriate. Needless to say, I did the one-minute-mile back into the house and closed everything in sight. When they grow wings of course. No wings means no can fly, wings means can fly. EASY. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 I always thought it was due to a specific temperature/humidity combination but, by recent temperatures, I don't think this can be the case :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deuces wild Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 Are you sure they were not termites? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 Termites are very rare in the UK.When I was doing some insecticide research many years ago we had to import termites under special bond from the USA and guarantee that there would be no escapees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 Are you sure they were not termites?A generation of flying ants is born to normal ants in the UK at the very least once every summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchful Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 According to my book they mate in hot, thundery weather which is when they fly up in swarms and although they may invade houses, before taking flight, they only go looking for food and don't live there B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 Whenever they descend onto our patio, a quick application of ant powder works wonders. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Posted July 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 BUT, the question is....WHY DO THEY ALL FLY AT THE SAME TIME????HOW DO THEY KNOW WHEN THE OTHERS ARE FLYING???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 BUT, the question is....WHY DO THEY ALL FLY AT THE SAME TIME????They all have their wrist watches synchronised. The queen ant insists on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 Presumably they fly in (ANT)icipation of something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tankus Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 vet please .....! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deuces wild Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 BUT, the question is....WHY DO THEY ALL FLY AT THE SAME TIME????Because they can.HOW DO THEY KNOW WHEN THE OTHERS ARE FLYING????By looking up and seeing them fly. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rong Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 BUT, the question is....WHY DO THEY ALL FLY AT THE SAME TIME????Because they can.HOW DO THEY KNOW WHEN THE OTHERS ARE FLYING????By looking up and seeing them fly. :lol:You been around the English to long :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deuces wild Posted July 21, 2007 Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 BUT, the question is....WHY DO THEY ALL FLY AT THE SAME TIME????Because they can.HOW DO THEY KNOW WHEN THE OTHERS ARE FLYING????By looking up and seeing them fly. :lol: You been around the English to long :D :lol: :lol: Maybe these links will help you Irene:http://meish.org/2007/07/19/flying-ant-day-reported/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_ant_day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Posted July 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 Thanks DW. I think you hit it right between the eyes!! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted July 21, 2007 Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 BUT, the question is....WHY DO THEY ALL FLY AT THE SAME TIME????HOW DO THEY KNOW WHEN THE OTHERS ARE FLYING????I don't suppose for one moment that ants actually know anything. It just happens to be a fact of nature that every so often a whole brood is born with wings, and when mature they fly off to start other colonies. It's natures way of speading the little buggers round a bit, and pestering everyone. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalph Posted July 21, 2007 Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 BUT, the question is....WHY DO THEY ALL FLY AT THE SAME TIME????HOW DO THEY KNOW WHEN THE OTHERS ARE FLYING????I don't suppose for one moment that ants actually know anything. It just happens to be a fact of nature that every so often a whole brood is born with wings, and when mature they fly off to start other colonies. It's natures way of speading the little buggers round a bit, and pestering everyone. :DThis all reminds me of a Master Sumeria Swordsman way back in the 1700's.A fly had been bothering him all the time he was eating. When he had finished his meal he stood up and for a time he was motionless. Everyone around him watched him and heard the hum of the flys wings getting closer. As fast as a flash he drew his sword and with an upward swinging circular motion brought the tip of his sword down and re sheathed it. A few moments later his man servant said with a gasp 'Master, you missed the Fly', 'No' said the master swordsman, 'The Fly will never have any children'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted July 21, 2007 Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 This all reminds me of a Master Sumeria Swordsman way back in the 1700's.A fly had been bothering him all the time he was eating. When he had finished his meal he stood up and for a time he was motionless. Everyone around him watched him and heard the hum of the flys wings getting closer. As fast as a flash he drew his sword and with an upward swinging circular motion brought the tip of his sword down and re sheathed it. A few moments later his man servant said with a gasp 'Master, you missed the Fly', 'No' said the master swordsman, 'The Fly will never have any children'. Very nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irene Posted July 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 This all reminds me of a Master Sumeria Swordsman way back in the 1700's.A fly had been bothering him all the time he was eating. When he had finished his meal he stood up and for a time he was motionless. Everyone around him watched him and heard the hum of the flys wings getting closer. As fast as a flash he drew his sword and with an upward swinging circular motion brought the tip of his sword down and re sheathed it. A few moments later his man servant said with a gasp 'Master, you missed the Fly', 'No' said the master swordsman, 'The Fly will never have any children'. I know that I have never actually been to Scotland, but my favourite author writes about Scottish history in the 1700's. Having already read all of the books in the series (6 in all, I think) through the local library, I have recently purchased each and every one of them to read them all again.It covers the battles of Prestonpan, Culloden etc; Jacobites and all other the surrounding events. When I eventually do tour Scotland, it will be necessary for me to visit each and every one of the place I have read about.I just love Scotsmen and their plaid's. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchful Posted July 21, 2007 Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 Irene, is there some connection between ants, the swordsman and Scotsmen? :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deuces wild Posted July 21, 2007 Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 Irene, is there some connection between ants, the swordsman and Scotsmen? :DYes......none of them wear underwear. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalph Posted July 21, 2007 Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 Irene, is there some connection between ants, the swordsman and Scotsmen? :DI think Irene may be getting a bit mixed up with the Midge. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tankus Posted July 21, 2007 Report Share Posted July 21, 2007 been at the sherry methinks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 I just love Scotsmen and their plaid's. ;)Behave!! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.