Fire ants survive raindrop collision forces and dispersed by outspreading drops

Fire ants typically build colonies in large mounds found in open areas exposed to rain. Despite extensive studies showing the fire ants' ability to navigate flooded environments, researchers are yet to systematically investigate the survival of fire ants when impacted by raindrops. In this experimental study, we use high-speed videography to film drop impacts on fire ants and dynamically scaled spherical mimics. Drops impart compression forces, coat insects, and disperse upon direct contact. We show the fire ant's low mass and characteristic size rendering it impervious to raindrop collisions. Our study demonstrates that small land-based insects are robust to adverse weather conditions like rain.