Welcome to the part of the nest called the Queen's Knowledge Chamber. Here you will find all sorts of information about ants and their behaviors. Enjoy reading!
๐ Formicarium
The formicarium is a place where various species of ants can be observed in peace and quiet. It is divided into a nesting section and an arena.
๐ Colony
A colony refers to all the ants in a nest or formicarium. Each individual ant works for the benefit of the entire colony, with each one fulfilling an important role.
๐ Nest
The center of the nest, where offspring are raised. The queen lays eggs, which hatch into larvae. Larvae turn into pupae, and eventually into worker ants.
๐ Arena
A simulation of the outside world for ants. This is the area outside the nest where ants gather food, fight for territory, and even discard waste. Yes, ants take out the trash too!
๐ Queen
The most important ant in the nest. She is responsible for laying eggs and raising the first generation of workers. The first worker ants take over all duties except egg-laying.
๐ Worker Ants
Worker ants do most of the work in the nest, from gathering food to caring for the offspring, organizing the nest, and keeping it clean.
๐ Male Ant
Male ants exist mainly to mate with the queen. After the mating flight, males usually die.
๐ Trophallaxis
Ever seen ants kiss? Trophallaxis is the process of sharing food... from one antโs stomach to anotherโs mouth. Most species of ants share food this way with their sisters.
๐ Mating Flight
Flying ants! Donโt worry, they wonโt harm you. The queen ant, ready to mate, has wings. Male ants also have wings. On warm, sunny, and humid days, many species of ants take flight. You can see swarms of ants flying through the air.
๐ Queen's Eggs
The queen who has built a powerful empire may decide to lay queen eggs. These eggs will hatch into future potential queens.
๐ Monastic Raising
Queen ants of monastic species, after finding shelter, lay eggs and bunker themselves in. They do not eat for a month while they wait for the first workers. These queens can absorb the muscles of their wings and their eyesight to nourish their offspring.
๐ Semi-Monastic Raising
Queens of this species do not bunker themselves. They leave the nest to search or hunt for food while raising the first brood of workers.
๐๐ Parasitism
Queens of parasitic species seek out other well-developed ant nests. They infiltrate the nest and replace the queen. Worker ants then raise their offspring as if they were their own.