It's flying ant day.
Another warm, sunny day in Exeter has brought swarms of flying ants out onto the city's streets.
People have reported seeing the insects swarming in the air and on roads and car parks, with sightings across the city.
This afternoon large numbers of the ants were seen in Exeter City Centre and the outskirts
So why do the ants appear all at once? The phenomenon is sometimes known as "flying ant day" - although it often takes place over a number of days during a spell of dry, warm weather.
Queen ants take their cue from the weather to venture out of their nests on what is known as a "nuptial flight", seeking males from other colonies to mate with.
Once far enough away from their own colonies to avoid inbreeding, they release pheromones, the chemicals behind sexual attraction, to attract suitors.
They then lead the males they have attracted on a chase to ensure only the fittest get to mate.
Flying ant days normally happen in July but they can occur any time between June and September if the weather is right.
The huge number of ants which emerge provide food for predators but sometimes this has unexpected side-effects.
Last year the Echo reported an increase in attacks and nuisance behaviour by seagulls - which was put down to them getting drunk on the formic acid created by the large number of flying ants they were gorging themselves on.
Like humans, the effects of getting drunk made the seagulls lose their inhibitions, stealing food from people's hands and raiding bins. There were also reports of seagulls getting so drunk they flew into buildings or into the paths of cars.
Have you seen any flying ant swarms? Tell us where and when using the comment form below.
