Plague-like swarms of flying, giant ants descend on the UK, triggering mistaken rain alerts on radar
These unusual insects triggering false weather radar readings are known as alates, giant, winged ants that swarm regions in large numbers.
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Officials in the UK are warning residents about an unusual weather event—but it's not what you might expect.
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Biblical swarms of flying ants have been impacting parts of the UK, at times even being mistaken for rain by weather radar.
"Our radar is picking up more than just rain this morning—it's actually insects," the Met Office said in a previous social media post. "While there are a few rain showers, many of those echoes are, in fact, insects."
Flying ants emerge from a crack in a garden wall in Leigh on Sea, England.
(John Keeble/Getty Images / Getty Images)
According to the Natural History Museum in London, these unusual insects are known as alates, giant, winged ants that swarm regions in large numbers. Because they are similar in size to raindrops, they can trigger false weather radar readings.
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Officials say this annual phenomenon is common every summer, typically during July and August, when hot and humid weather creates ideal conditions for the insects.
The winged ants usually appear earlier in urban areas than in rural ones, since cities retain more heat, known as the urban heat island effect.
Biblical swarms of flying ants have been impacting parts of the UK, at times even being mistaken for rain by weather radar.
(Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto via Getty Images / Getty Images)
However, experts say the swarms of flying ants have arrived earlier than usual this year due to the UK's record-breaking heatwaves over the past several weeks.
A study by the Royal Society of Biology found that the ants only fly on warm days, avoiding cold or windy conditions.
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The timing can be unfortunate for tennis players competing at Wimbledon. In previous years, players have complained about flying ants disrupting matches.
Flying ants cause Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark to shake her hair as she attempts to serve against Ekaterina Makarova of Russia during their Ladies' Singles second round match on day three of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships.
( Clive Brunskill/Getty Images / Getty Images)
In 2018, Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki complained after flying ants attacked her mid-match.
The Natural History Museum London says the insects seen filling the skies are sexually mature queens and males of the black garden ant.
They are part of what's known as a nuptial flight. During this time, they mate to start new colonies.
Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa tees off on the 12th hole as he is surrounded by flying ants during the second round of the Africa Open at East London GC.
(Warren Little/Getty Images / Getty Images)
After mating, the queens search for a suitable place to build a nest, while the males die shortly afterward.
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The good news is that these insects are harmless to humans, they're just looking for a mate.
So, while these pesky creatures may be an unwelcome nuisance during the summer months, experts say there's no reason for people to worry.