alisonb
Well-known member
We had a bit of rain last week after quite a long dry spell. Sitting outside enjoying the sunset and noticed the birds swooping in from all directions...the flying ants(Harvester termites) had just started their swarming. The birds were having a feast.
As you probably know the swarming occurs when the termites exit their tunnels in the ground and fly into the air and disperse to create new colonies. After swarming they discard their wings and pair up to mate. The male dies and the female starts a new colony under the ground, those that survive that is.
I have seen the swarming so many times in my life but it still facinates me. It's a pity the pic of them all flying in the air with the sun setting behind them did not come out clearly, there were thousands.
Emerging from their holes.
https://vimeo.com/379850362
Wings lost, spose they must bury themselves as quickly as possible to continue the circle or become prey. My phone picked up the sound they make.
https://vimeo.com/379851631
This was a puddle of rain that dried up where cement was mixed thus the cracks and ugly colour. We actually have lovely red furtile soil here.
https://vimeo.com/379852834
Miss Lacey just loves them.
https://vimeo.com/379962443
As you probably know the swarming occurs when the termites exit their tunnels in the ground and fly into the air and disperse to create new colonies. After swarming they discard their wings and pair up to mate. The male dies and the female starts a new colony under the ground, those that survive that is.
I have seen the swarming so many times in my life but it still facinates me. It's a pity the pic of them all flying in the air with the sun setting behind them did not come out clearly, there were thousands.
Emerging from their holes.
https://vimeo.com/379850362
Wings lost, spose they must bury themselves as quickly as possible to continue the circle or become prey. My phone picked up the sound they make.
https://vimeo.com/379851631
This was a puddle of rain that dried up where cement was mixed thus the cracks and ugly colour. We actually have lovely red furtile soil here.
https://vimeo.com/379852834
Miss Lacey just loves them.
https://vimeo.com/379962443
