The sudden appearance of ants with wings often causes alarm, but these individuals are simply the reproductive members of an ant colony. Known scientifically as “alates,” these winged ants are a temporary phase produced when a colony reaches maturity. Their presence signifies a natural event rather than an immediate infestation, though they are frequently mistaken for pests.
Who Gets Wings and Why They Fly
Wing development is strictly limited to the reproductive castes within the ant colony: the virgin queens and the males. These individuals are produced only when the existing colony has grown large enough to support a dispersal event and is ready to establish new nests. The worker ants, which are sterile females, never develop wings and remain on the ground performing foraging and maintenance duties.
The synchronized emergence of these alates is a specific behavior called the nuptial flight, or mating swarm. This event is triggered by precise environmental cues, such as optimal temperature, humidity, and recent rainfall, which ensures large numbers of different colonies swarm simultaneously. Flying high into the air, the primary biological purpose of this flight is to mate with individuals from other nests, promoting genetic diversity across the population.
Once the queens are successfully mated, they descend to the ground to begin the next stage of their life. The males’ sole role is fertilization, and they perish soon after the nuptial flight is complete. This mass dispersal strategy increases the chances that at least a few fertilized queens will survive to establish successful new colonies.
How to Tell Flying Ants from Termites
Distinguishing a flying ant from a swarming termite is a common challenge for homeowners, yet several distinct physical traits make identification possible. The most reliable difference lies in the body structure, specifically the connection between the thorax and the abdomen. Ants possess a highly defined, narrow, and pinched waist, often called a petiole, giving them a distinct three-segmented appearance.
Conversely, swarming termites have a broad, uniform connection between their midsection and abdomen, resulting in a cylindrical, two-segmented body shape. This straight-waisted profile separates termites from all ant species. Examining this area provides immediate clarity.
Another telling feature is the structure of the antennae. Flying ants have “elbowed” or bent antennae, resembling a sharp 90-degree angle. In contrast, swarming termites possess antennae that are straight and appear beaded or string-like.
The wings themselves offer a final point of comparison between the two insects. Ants have two pairs of wings, and the front pair (forewings) is noticeably longer and larger than the back pair (hindwings). Termites also have two pairs of wings, but all four wings are roughly equal in size and length.
Furthermore, both insects shed their wings after the swarming event, so finding discarded wings can still aid in identification. If the detached wings are all uniform in size, the insect was a termite, whereas detached wings of two distinct sizes confirm the presence of flying ants.
What Happens After the Swarm
Once the nuptial flight is complete and mating has occurred, the subsequent fate of the three involved castes varies significantly. The male alates, having fulfilled their only reproductive function, die shortly after fertilization, often within hours. They do not possess the necessary physical or behavioral adaptations to survive long-term or contribute to the colony’s founding.
The newly fertilized queens descend to the ground and immediately begin the process of finding a suitable nesting location. Their first action upon landing is to intentionally break off their wings at a specialized joint near the thorax, a process called dealation. This shedding of the wings signals the end of their flight phase and the beginning of their solitary colony-founding phase.
These wingless queens then search for a sheltered spot to lay their first eggs, sustaining themselves on stored fat reserves and metabolized flight muscles. Finding small piles of discarded wings inside a structure often suggests a queen has successfully shed her wings and may be attempting to start a new nest nearby.