MadSci Network: Zoology |
Well, each colony of ants has three types of ants. There are worker ants who don't reproduce, reproductive males, and reproductive females. The ants with wings are the male and female ants that mate and reproduce the rest of the ants. Because the tree already has a colony of ants, the male and remale ants must fly away and find a new place to start a colony. Rainy days are the best time for ants to start a new colony. The soil is easier to dig up and the ants need the moisture so the eggs don't dry up. When the reproductive males and female come out, they all come out at the same time to take advantage of the best time to start a colony. These ants sound like carpenter ants. Carpenter ants make their colonies inside of the wood of the tree. Wet weather rotting the wood makes it easier for ants to dig through the wood. Here is a web site with lots of info http://www.myrmecology.org/javaindex.htm Here are some photos:
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Zoology.