MadSci Network: Zoology
Query:

Re: What kind of ant has wings and only comes out after a big rain??

Date: Fri Jul 13 15:38:25 2001
Posted By: Elsa Cade, Secondary School Teacher, Biology, University of Lethbridge
Area of science: Zoology
ID: 994876727.Zo
Message:

	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:





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