So... What's an Ant?
Ants are generally between 1/3" to 1/2" in length and black or red in color. Its body is made up of three segments which are surrounded by an exoskeleton that protects its internal organs. Its remarkable antennae can sense changes in air pressure, perceive odors, and feel movement and vibrations.
There are three kinds of adults living in a colony: the queen, female workers, and males. The queen, the largest ant in the colony, is the only ant capable of bearing offspring. Usually there is only one queen in a colony, but some species of ants may have multiple queens. A queen is capable of living up to 30 years, ten times longer than female workers - so it is easy to see why colonies can be come so massive. Although the queen may help tend the larvae, it is usually the female workers' job in most colonies.
Female workers are always smaller than queens, although they can vary in size among themselves, depending on the species of ant. Females result from fertilized eggs and can live up to 3 years. These workers spend their entire lives tending to the larvae, building and repairing the nest, bringing food to the colony, and fighting off enemies of the colony.
Males, unlike females, develop from unfertilized eggs. They do not assist the female workers in their duties. Mating with the queen in the colony appears to be the sole purpose of the male, who usually expires in about 10-14 days afterwards.
Reproduction Patterns of Ants Ants go through four stages of development: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. After the queen lays her eggs, they will hatch in a couple of days into helpless larvae whom workers will feed and groom. The larvae then develop into the pupal stage where it will remain for a week or more and then emerge as an adult ant. Ant's Habitat Ants are found throughout the world. They are very social insects and live in colonies consisting of a queen, female workers, and males. The species of ant determines where the ants are found. Ants usually live and build their nests in mounds outdoors, in wood structures, or in plants and trees.
During the winter months in colder regions, ants will become inactive, while in warmer regions, ants continue their lives at their normal pace.
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