Flying ant day?

[frog123]

Hello all. I am just wondering worrying actually if we have had flying ant day in London as I have heard people saying they saw them on 8th July however I didn't did I miss it or is it that localised and is it only one day a year?

[Paul mabbott]

It's the common black ant, Lasius niger (or possibly its sibling species) and the nuptial flights tend to be fairly widespread over London; sometimes all seem to be on the same day but mostly spread over 2-3 days. For three years in the 1990s they flew on 17th July - Swithin's (Swithun's) Day: just coincidence.

Nuptial flight dates vary considerably over the country - no sign of it yet up here.

[pressld2]

I'm in South London and haven't seen them on the wing yet. I'm expecting it to be soon though.

Dave P.

[frog123]

Thanks for the replies
I will stay on the look out

[slimrbp]

I have just been outside work near London Bridge and a flying Ant just bounced off my head .
Also why digging the garden yesterday I accidentaly disturbed an Ant's nest and a number of winged ants were observed although they didn't seem to be ready to fly, perhaps the windy conditions put them off.

[aeshna5]

Plenty near Wandsworth Common today, but haven't seen them at home.

[thebeard]

there's loads here in nottingham, only just came out a few hours ago, i was out all day and nothing but just went out for my break at work and they're everywhere!

[Paul mabbott]

Sunny, thundery day here - I looked under some rocks but not a wing to be seen ....

[Hedera]

We have had a day here too. The seagulls were all over the place this morning so I thought somethng was about. The wingless ones are now crawling all over the lawn and on my washing! Typical muggy weather for the flight.

[loripo]

There were hundreds of them flying around the shopping centre at Clapham Junction today, getting in peoples hair. I've never seen that many. Some managed to board the buses. Odd that it was only South of the tunnel to the station. North of the station there were just a a few.