Experts
believe false readings occurred because radar interpreted insects as raindrops
Wed 17
Jul 2019 22.14 BSTLast modified on Wed 17 Jul
2019 22.28 BST
Huge
swarms of flying ants that hit England’s south coast were mistaken by weather
satellites in space for clouds of rain.
The Met
Office’s radar captured what it described as “insect clutter” over the counties
of Hampshire, West Sussex and Dorset on Wednesday morning. They were also
spotted in East Sussex and Kent.
“It’s all
about mating,” insect expert Prof Adam Hart of the University of
Gloucestershire said. “The ant colonies in the ground are busy rearing the
potential new queens and males. When the weather conditions are right, they go
into the air.”
The weather in the south of England has
triggered what is known as the “nuptial flight” phase of the ant’s reproductive
cycle – commonly referred to as a “flying ant day”.
But Prof
Hart argues that the term is misleading as the mating ritual can last for several
weeks throughout July and August, depending on the weather conditions in
different parts of the country, ultimately involving billions of ants.
The ants
typically take to the skies when rainfall is followed by hot, humid weather.
The queen emits pheromones as she takes flight, encouraging the males to pursue
her. But only the strongest are able to mate with her.
As the
queen flees their advances, birds swoop in and prey upon them. The chase is
intended to ensure that the queen’s offspring are as fit as they can be.
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