This is part of the Ant reproduction cycle. Once a year an ant colony produces many new drones and queens (males and females). These winged versions are called "Alletes" (sp?). They all leave the home nest at the same time. Find a mate and start new colonies.
If they land too close to an existing colony (even their parent colony) the workers drag them inside and kill them for food.
In some parts of the world they are considerred a delicacy. They have a lot of stored fat for their body weight to hold them over until they can be fed by their children. This allows them to be fried up nicely. I've heard they taste like roasted peanuts.
That's all I think I know about that!
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