Wings of love

The flight of the winged black ant gives Toby a chance to reflect on how far some insects go to for a good time

- TOBY BUCKLAND

ANT day, as it's known, is when winged black ants head to the skies, their silver wings flashing in the sunshine as they rise. With no shortage of baggage handlers or queues on the runway, the numbers taking the short haul into the heavens is astonishing. Swarms can contain many millions and be a colossal 50 miles wide!

Ant day is also revealing. I knew from the tell-tale crumbs of sand on the patio that there was a nest below, but it turns out our garden is an aardvark's dream, with ants breaking cover from nest-top launch sites in the pots, the lawn and even under the roof tiles of the house.

I know some are squeamish about these airborne mini-beasts, but they are remarkable. Not only are they winged and bigger than the worker ants that scuttle through our gardens, but they're males and females built for love - and their nuptial flight is about finding a mate.