Flying ant day: when virgin queens and male drones mate on the wing

After warm weather and summer rain, flying ants emerge from nests for a mass mating event to ensure survival and dispersal of the speciesA steady stream of black ants scurries in and out of a crack in the patio. They have been living there quietly for weeks. Perhaps you tried to get rid of them – especially if they were taking sugar from the kitchen or crawling across your bedroom. Perhaps you ignored them, or marvelled at their ability to navigate over apparently featureless paving stones