Weather conditions during nuptial flights of four European ant species

Summary

In 1977, 1978, and 1979 nuptial flights of Lasius niger L., Lasius flavus F., Myrmica rubra L., and Myrmica scabrinodis Nyl. were observed on the island of Schiermonnikoog and in the area around Amsterdam. Weather conditions during these flights were determined using data from meteorological stations at Schiermonnikoog and Schiphol Airport. Significant differences were found concerning daytime, global radiation and relative humidity at the beginning of flights of Lasius niger, Lasius flavus, and Myrmica rubra; Myrmica scabrinodis had no defined preferences for these parameters. Wind velocity at 2 m of height was less than 1.7 m.s⁻¹ during all flights before 20 August. After that date all species tended to fly at higher wind velocities as well.

The calculated ranges for daytime, temperature, global radiation, relative humidity, and wind velocity appeared to be sufficient to characterize all nuptial flight occasions at Schiermonnikoog.

Micrometeorological measurements in typical habitats of different ant species revealed that during flights the air temperature at 20 cm above ground and the soil temperature at 5 to 7 cm below ground were about equal in the habitat of the flying species, but unequal in the neighbouring habitats of coexisting ants.