“They rise from the earth in shimmering swarms — brief monarchs of the air, dancing on invisible currents before vanishing back into the soil.”

The Swarm of Summer

Each year, usually after a spell of hot, humid weather, Maltese skies fill with clouds of flying ants. Known locally as nemel it-tirrin, these winged forms mark one of nature’s most spectacular — yet fleeting — displays of insect life.

Though they may seem like invaders from another world, these swarms are part of a vital natural ritual: the nuptial flight. For a few short hours, thousands of male and female ants take to the air, mate mid-flight, and begin the next generation of colonies beneath the ground.

Photo credit: Stephen Yardley

Where and When They Appear

Flying ants can emerge anywhere their colonies thrive — from rural fields and garden walls to the crevices of Maltese limestone streets. Most species in Malta, including Lasius niger and Pheidole pallidula, produce their winged individuals in late summer, typically after rainfall followed by warm sunshine.

Their synchronized emergence is a survival strategy: by launching all at once, they overwhelm predators like swallows, geckos, and spiders, ensuring enough queens survive to establish new colonies.

Fun Fact: Each flying ant you see is either a young queen seeking to start her own colony, or a male whose only purpose is to mate — and die shortly after.

The Hidden Society Beneath Our Feet

Beneath Malta’s dry soil and stone walls lies a complex world of tunnels, chambers, and bustling workers. Ants are engineers of the earth — aerating the soil, recycling organic matter, and defending their nests with military precision.

Colonies may contain thousands of workers, all descended from a single queen. During the nuptial flight, new queens shed their wings and dig into the ground to start their own dynasties, sealing themselves underground to lay their first eggs.

Photo credit: Stephen Yardley

Nature’s Tiny Engineers

Though sometimes seen as a nuisance, ants play a crucial ecological role. They help decompose organic material, distribute seeds, and even improve soil fertility by turning and mixing the ground as they dig.

Their activity supports the Maltese countryside’s fragile ecosystems — sustaining birds, reptiles, and other insects that rely on them for food. In this way, even the smallest creature contributes to the island’s natural balance.

• Soil Aeration: Ant tunnels improve air and water flow in compacted soil.
• Seed Dispersal: Some plants rely on ants to carry and bury their seeds, aiding germination.
• Natural Pest Control: Ants hunt other insects, helping maintain ecological balance.

From Myth to Metamorphosis

Across the Mediterranean, flying ants have inspired both awe and superstition. Their sudden appearance after rain was once seen as a sign of fertility and abundance — nature’s way of renewing life after drought.

In reality, these winged ants represent the momentary freedom of creatures usually bound to the soil — a celebration of life, transformation, and the enduring rhythm of the seasons.

“For a single afternoon, the earth learns to fly.”
— Maltese proverb

© Stephen Yardley — All text and photos