How Do Ants Reproduce?
WouterVarious species of ants have a unique way of reproduction. It depends on the resources available to the colony. In some species, the queen may produce multiple queens to aid in the growth of the colony. It may also take a year for a colony to mature.
The reproduction process begins when a queen lays an egg. The eggs are then fertilized by the sperm of the male ant. The queen uses the remaining sperm to fertilize the eggs. After the eggs have matured, the ant pupae are born. The pupae are similar in appearance to an adult ant.
After hatching, the ant larvae are fed with trophallaxis, which regurgitates food stored in the crop. They travel all day and make temporary nests at night. They also need to be kept at a constant temperature. They are often moved to brood chambers to continue their development.
The larvae are fed with additional food to help them develop in a different way. After a few days, they begin to grow into pupae. They have a lighter color than their adult bodies and have folded antennae.
During the larva phase, the queen ant searches for the right place to lay the eggs. The workers then tend the eggs. The larvae then develop into pupae and are finally transformed into adult ants.
Ants can be found in tropical forests, but they can also be found in colder areas. In the colder areas, ants may reproduce less often. In these regions, they are less able to find enough food.
