TANAJURAS (EN / PT)

|EN|

Hello friends!

I don't know if it's a mondial phenomenon, but here in Brazil there is a period of the year where a phenomenon occurs that catches everyone's attention: flying ants, called tanajuras, they are the female ants of the leafcutter.

These flying ants go by many names, such as: bitus, munhara, iças, among others, it largely depends on the region of the country where this phenomenon occurs.

The winged ants have wings for their nuptial flight, where they copulate with males and then find a place to create underground tunnels and form a new nest. "She does everything herself!"

When she selects the location, she takes off her wings herself and begins to dig her new home.

This period has finally arrived in the city where I live. Something difficult is locating and filming one of these tanajuras creating their new home, as there are few areas without paving or sidewalks in the city, but I managed to record some of these moments and bring them to you.

There are people who treat tanajuras as pests, but there is a selective group who treat them as a blessing, as they are present in their cuisine. Fried tanajuras or tanajura farofa are the reality for many people during this period.

In my case, I've already tried the farofa, I won't deny it, it's delicious. Have you already tried it?

Thank you for your attention!

Video source: my cell phone.