Chair umpire Kader Nouni is pestered by flying ants during a second round match on Wednesday. Photo: Getty ImagesWimbledon has been invaded by thousands of flying ants, causing much annoyance to players, officials and ticket holders alike - but there was little anyone could do to drive out the pests. However, other players who were not as well prepared tried to swat the insects away with their rackets - with little success. With the temperature soaring above 30 degrees Centigrade, the sticky conditions seem to have given the flying ants the perfect opportunity to spread their wings. The phenomenon behind the unlikely scenes witnessed at Wimbledon is known as "flying ant day" and is triggered when a queen leaves her nest in search of a mate to start a new colony.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 05, 2017 22:30 UTC