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THE ESSENTIAL ANT VOCABULARY – PART 2
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THE ESSENTIAL ANT VOCABULARY – PART 2
Ant Life Cycle, Feeding & Ecological Relationships
Ant colonies are often described as superorganisms, functioning through the coordinated roles of distinct individuals rather than a single leader. To understand how these societies operate, it is essential to become familiar with the vocabulary that describes their castes and social organization. The Essential Ant Vocabulary – Part 2 introduces the key terms related to queens, workers, and males, and explains how these roles fit together to form the social structure of ant colonies. While not exhaustive, this overview provides the foundational concepts needed to grasp how ant societies are organized, maintained, and able to thrive. For readers who missed it, see Part 1: Ant Life Cycle, Feeding & Ecological Relationships.
1. Female
From a genetic standpoint, workers and queens are females. The vast majority of ants in a colony are therefore female by default.
2. Worker
Workers are adult females specialized for tasks such as foraging, nest maintenance, and brood care. Depending on the species, they may be sterile or capable of reproduction.
3. Queen
The queen is a reproductive female responsible for laying eggs. Her primary role is reproduction, not governance, despite the royal metaphor.
4. Gyne
A gyne is a female ant biologically capable of reproduction. This term includes both winged and wingless reproductive females.
5. Alate Queen (or Alate Gyne)
An alate queen is a winged reproductive female. She participates in nuptial flights before mating.
6. Dealate Queen
After mating, the queen sheds her wings and becomes a dealate queen. Wing loss marks the beginning of her permanent reproductive role.
7. Ergatogyne
An ergatogyne is an intermediate form between worker and queen. She can reproduce but lacks full queen morphology, such as wings.
8. Male
Male ants exist solely for reproduction. They are produced shortly before mating season and usually die soon after mating.
9. Princess
“Princess” is an informal term for winged gynes before mating. While popular, it has no scientific standing.
10. Gamergate
In rare species, a fertilized worker can become the primary reproductive individual. Such a reproductive worker is called a gamergate.
