How do ants mate?

In most ant species, one ant queen is in charge of all procreation. Mating usually happens during a mating ritual called a nuptial flight, where all the males fly into the air to mate with one queen, who will select one or a few companions. For some ants, this swarming is so big, it’s been mistaken as rain on weather forecasts.

After this bonanza, all the males die, having fulfilled their role. The queen – if she doesn’t get eaten or die on her way to the refuge, which is extremely likely – will rip off her wings, make herself a new nest, and kickstart a new colony.