Fire ant mating flights

in Ants, bees, wasps Insects — January 6, 2012 11:10 am | no comments

One way fire ants disperse and ultimately establish new colonies is through mating (nuptial) flights.  During these flights, winged male and female fire ants (called alates) leave the nest, fligh high into the sky and mate.   These flights occur throughout the year, but occur most often between May and July.  For more information on fire ants, visit the Fire Ant Community at eXtension.org.

Tags: fire ants mating nuptial flight