Most ant species are social insects, living in large cooperative groups called colonies. Two or
more generations may overlap in a colony. These ant colonies are divided into three castes —
males, workers and queens — and each caste perform certain tasks.
Queen ants and males are part of the reproductive castes. They are the most important members
of a colony because they ensure the survival of their species. Queen ants, regardless of species,
often are larger than other members of their colonies. Queen ants also have thicker bodies,
making them easily distinguishable. The abdomens of queen ants are larger than those of other
ants, and they possess wing muscles specific to their caste.
The majority of queen ants’ eggs grow up to …show more content…
In a few
species the median workers have disappeared, creating a sharp divide and clear physical
difference between the minors and majors.
Most of the common ant species breed in the same way. Only the Queen and breeding females
have the ability to mate. Some ant nests have multiple queens. The male ants, called drones,
along with the breeding females are born with wings and do nothing throughout their life except
eat, until the time for mating comes.
At this time, all breeding ants, excluding the queen, are carried outside where other colonies of
similar species are doing the same. Then, all the winged breeding ants take flight. Mating occurs
in flight and the males die shortly afterward. The females that survive land and seek a suitable
place to begin a colony. There, they break off their own wings and begin to lay eggs, which they
care for.
The first workers to hatch are weak and smaller than later workers, but they begin to serve the
colony immediately. They enlarge the nest, forage for food and care for the other eggs. This is
how most new colonies
more generations may overlap in a colony. These ant colonies are divided into three castes —
males, workers and queens — and each caste perform certain tasks.
Queen ants and males are part of the reproductive castes. They are the most important members
of a colony because they ensure the survival of their species. Queen ants, regardless of species,
often are larger than other members of their colonies. Queen ants also have thicker bodies,
making them easily distinguishable. The abdomens of queen ants are larger than those of other
ants, and they possess wing muscles specific to their caste.
The majority of queen ants’ eggs grow up to …show more content…
In a few
species the median workers have disappeared, creating a sharp divide and clear physical
difference between the minors and majors.
Most of the common ant species breed in the same way. Only the Queen and breeding females
have the ability to mate. Some ant nests have multiple queens. The male ants, called drones,
along with the breeding females are born with wings and do nothing throughout their life except
eat, until the time for mating comes.
At this time, all breeding ants, excluding the queen, are carried outside where other colonies of
similar species are doing the same. Then, all the winged breeding ants take flight. Mating occurs
in flight and the males die shortly afterward. The females that survive land and seek a suitable
place to begin a colony. There, they break off their own wings and begin to lay eggs, which they
care for.
The first workers to hatch are weak and smaller than later workers, but they begin to serve the
colony immediately. They enlarge the nest, forage for food and care for the other eggs. This is
how most new colonies