How Long Do Ants Eggs Hatch?
WouterDuring the ant life cycle, the ants go through a series of stages. The time for development depends on a variety of factors, including species and temperature. Some species develop within a month, while others take several weeks to several months.
In general, ants start life as an egg. They have a sticky surface and are oval in shape. They are 0.5 mm in size. These eggs are molded into a mass that is easily transported by workers. These eggs can either be fertilized or unfertilized. The fertilized eggs develop into female ants and the unfertilized eggs form male ants.
In the larvae stage, ants grow and molt repeatedly. With each molt, hooked hairs develop. In addition, physical features such as legs and eyes may start to appear.
The larvae continue to molt, which causes them to transform into pupae. Some species of ants spin protective cocoons while others remain uncovered. The pupae are pale and whitish, resembling an insect.
The pupae are ready to emerge as adult ants after six to ten weeks. During this phase, they are transparent. Then, they gradually darken. They will wake up when they become fully grown.
The worker ants feed the larvae. They protect the colony from predators and expand the nest. They also lay chemical odor trails to food sources.
After a few hours, the new ants begin to darken their exoskeletons. They also begin to grow in size and strength. They will eventually leave the nest to perform more dangerous tasks. They will also begin to defend the nest.
