Which Ants Have Wings?
WouterAlmost all ant species have three castes. Workers are the largest caste and perform all tasks within the colony. They are responsible for collecting food and for protecting the nest. They also collect and deposit the ants’ eggs. They do not have wings.
The other two castes are the reproductive ants, which have wings. Those with wings are called reproductive ants or alates.
Reproductive ants have wings for their reproductive life. They can also fly to other colonies. The wings of male ants are used for mating with females. After mating, they die. Female ants also lose their wings when they start a colony.
Wings are only used for mating and are not used for other purposes. They can be damaged or destroyed by predators. They can also be damaged by poor weather conditions.
The reproductive ants with wings can be distinguished from the other ants by their wing size. They are usually larger and have longer forewings. They also have a larger body. The males have four wings. The wings are made from chitin.
The ants with wings also have antennae. They can breed during hot, humid weather. This is known as mating season.
Female ants can also live for up to 15 years. They can find a nest on human property and lay eggs there. This can lead to thousands of colonies without proper treatment.
They also have elbowed antennae and pinched waists. Unlike the male ants, they do not have wings. They are called swarmers. They travel in packs in search of food. They will die when they can’t find enough water.
