Giant swarm of flying ants detected from space

[Vanguard One]

A 1.6-kilometre swarm of flying ants detected on radar imagery from space.

A giant swarm of flying ants is making its way over the UK and it's so big, it has been spotted from space.

The UK's Met Office shared radar imagery showing the 1.6-kilometre-wide swarm flying over the southeast part of the country.

"It's not raining in London, Kent or Sussex, but our radar says otherwise," the Met Office said in a tweet.


It looked like rain on the radar, but a meteorologist with the country's weather agency said it was "dry, hot and sunny" at the time.

The forecasters' satellites didn't show enough clouds to produce rain in the area.
The swarm was visible on radar for about two hours on Friday morning.


They suspected insects because the particles didn't look like raindrops and were longer than they are wide - like a bug.

Their hunch was confirmed when people in the area started posting about the swarm with the hashtags #flyingants and #flyingantday.

There were also reports along the eastern part of the country that did not show up on radar, the Met Office said.

Twitter user says he would have avoided getting out of bed if he new it was Flying Ant Day. (Twitter/ Martin Neylon)

The ants have become a summer tradition in Britain and many people call their annual appearance Flying Ant Day.

The phenomenon occurs when young queen ants, followed by males, leave their nests to breed and start new colonies.

The weather conditions have to be just right, which is why so many ants choose to take off at the same time, according to the Royal Society of Biology (RSB).

They may be annoying, but the ants are also good for the environment, RSB said.

Twitter user shares picture of ants and says 'Trying to take a photo of flying ant day never shows the whole horror of flying ant day.' (Twitter/ Jo Henstone)

They improve soil fertility and aerate the ground so more water, oxygen and nutrients can reach plants' roots and wind up as meals for birds and other predators.

The ants aren't harmful, so the RSB suggests ignoring them until they fly off on their own.

https://www.9news.com.au/world/gian...t-office/876ecd6b-553f-41a7-9364-d4e3415f609f

 

[srshkmr]

2020 is keep getting better and better.

 

[Pappa Alpha]

For moment there I read it as 'gaint insects spotted in space' and thought well this will be interesting

 

[Nilgiri]

For moment there I read it as 'gaint insects spotted in space' and thought well this will be interesting

Well....the only good bug is a DEAD BUG.

 

[Pappa Alpha]

Well....the only good bug is a DEAD BUG.

 

[sms]

A 1.6-kilometre swarm of flying ants detected on radar imagery from space.

A giant swarm of flying ants is making its way over the UK and it's so big, it has been spotted from space.

The UK's Met Office shared radar imagery showing the 1.6-kilometre-wide swarm flying over the southeast part of the country.

"It's not raining in London, Kent or Sussex, but our radar says otherwise," the Met Office said in a tweet.


It looked like rain on the radar, but a meteorologist with the country's weather agency said it was "dry, hot and sunny" at the time.

The forecasters' satellites didn't show enough clouds to produce rain in the area.
The swarm was visible on radar for about two hours on Friday morning.


They suspected insects because the particles didn't look like raindrops and were longer than they are wide - like a bug.

Their hunch was confirmed when people in the area started posting about the swarm with the hashtags #flyingants and #flyingantday.

There were also reports along the eastern part of the country that did not show up on radar, the Met Office said.

Twitter user says he would have avoided getting out of bed if he new it was Flying Ant Day. (Twitter/ Martin Neylon)

The ants have become a summer tradition in Britain and many people call their annual appearance Flying Ant Day.

The phenomenon occurs when young queen ants, followed by males, leave their nests to breed and start new colonies.

The weather conditions have to be just right, which is why so many ants choose to take off at the same time, according to the Royal Society of Biology (RSB).

They may be annoying, but the ants are also good for the environment, RSB said.

Twitter user shares picture of ants and says 'Trying to take a photo of flying ant day never shows the whole horror of flying ant day.' (Twitter/ Jo Henstone)

They improve soil fertility and aerate the ground so more water, oxygen and nutrients can reach plants' roots and wind up as meals for birds and other predators.

The ants aren't harmful, so the RSB suggests ignoring them until they fly off on their own.

https://www.9news.com.au/world/gian...t-office/876ecd6b-553f-41a7-9364-d4e3415f609f

Consider it as their prom day and let them enjoy matting season.

 

[Jungibaaz]

Well....the only good bug is a DEAD BUG.

I'm doing my part.

 

[Patriot forever]

Well....the only good bug is a DEAD BUG.

Sure that's what you want?
Insects create the biological foundation for all terrestrial ecosystems. They cycle nutrients, pollinate plants, disperse seeds, maintain soil structure and fertility, control populations of other organisms, and provide a major food source for other taxa.

 

[Jungibaaz]

Sure that's what you want?
Insects create the biological foundation for all terrestrial ecosystems. They cycle nutrients, pollinate plants, disperse seeds, maintain soil structure and fertility, control populations of other organisms, and provide a major food source for other taxa.

It was a joke. He was referencing starship troopers.