How Do Ants Give Live Birth?
WouterDuring the first few weeks, new ants are still larvae and cannot take care of themselves. After a few days, they start to darken and become adult. They have a translucent body, folded antennae and legs that are folded. These are similar to the cocoon of a butterfly.
After the pupae are fully grown, they are ready to defend the nest. In addition to protecting the nest, workers tend to the eggs and brood. They also clean and dispose of waste. The larvae are also fed, which is known as trophallaxis. This process regurgitates food stored in the crop.
Depending on the species of ant, development can take weeks or months. This is dependent on factors such as warmth and temperature. The most common species, such as ants, will develop in 3-5 weeks. Some species, such as Camponotus ants, develop in two months.
Development begins with an egg, followed by a larval stage. These worm-like larvae can molt several times before becoming workers. These larvae have no wings. The larvae are typically white in color, but they darken over time.
These larvae are fed by a process called trophallaxis, which regurgitates food stored in the crop. When they hatch from the egg, the larvae become worker ants. These workers are fed a diet rich in protein.
The larval stage of ants is the best known. It determines whether the ants will be a worker or queen. The worker ants will tend to the new larvae, while the queen will lay eggs.
