How Quickly Do Ants Grow?
WouterUnlike wasps, which undergo a metamorphosis, ants go through several developmental stages before they are fully grown. These stages include the egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. Depending on the species, these stages can take between one and 60 days.
Eggs, the simplest stage in the ant life cycle, are tiny oval-shaped white or white-colored eggs. They are laid by the colony’s queen. They usually weigh only 0.5 mm. During this phase, the queen begins searching for a suitable nesting site.
Once she locates a suitable site, the queen begins to lay the eggs. The eggs are smaller than worker eggs, but larger than fertile eggs. These eggs are laid only during the summer months. The eggs will produce female ants. These ants are also larger than worker eggs.
After laying the eggs, the queen begins feeding them. She breaks down the wing muscles to provide nutrition. She then feeds the first brood of worker ants with her saliva. These workers are known as nanitics.
After several molts, the larvae turn into pupae. These pupae are white or pale, weak, and fragile. They develop antennae and legs. These pupae transform into adult ants within six to 10 weeks.
Ant larvae resemble maggots and feed on regurgitated food provided by adult worker ants. They also create cocoons as a form of defense. They have legs and antennae, but they do not have eyes. They grow hooked hairs with each molt, making it easier for worker ants to carry them.
