Anybody know Bugs?

[charlesf6]

These guys regularly show up at the same time each year near my garden hose at my place and I become a little concerned (termites) as these red ants with wings putt about but by the time I try to figure out a plan to use to be rid of them they are usually gone.

Anyone recognize from my pics?

[Arizona Jeanie]

Maybe this guy?
sawfly - Xyela middlekauffi - BugGuide.Net
More info:
Genus Xyela - BugGuide.Net

[estación seca]

Ant and termite colonies generally have one queen, laying eggs, and a lot of sterile females that do the rest of the work.

Once a year (sometimes more often) a large number of eggs hatch into fertile young females and males. These have wings. They emerge from the original colony en masse, fly off and mate. The impregnated females land, shed their wings, dig a hole and begin a new colony. The males die quickly after mating.

I suspect you are seeing such a swarm. I can't see the insects clearly enough to tell whether they are ants or termites.

Here it happens just after the first summer monsoon rains. It is easier to dig in moister earth. In your cold-winter climate, it would make sense for swarming to begin as early as possible after last frost, and as long as possible before the next frost, so new colonies are as established as possible before the next winter.

[charlesf6]

good explanation as they are here right on time for our last frost date, knew I saw them regularly just didn't put that together.
would post a clearer picture but it looks as though they already flew off!

[charlesf6]

Maybe their little way of letting me know that it's time to put out the tomato plants?

[RJSquirrel]

winged termites have a two-segmented body with a pair of large wings,the ants have three segmented bodies with wings.



you got termite swarm I think.

Look for the mud tubes. If you find mud tubes in your garden area and near your wooden furniture, along with flying insects, then this means that your house is infested with termites.