Castes 2

How many different types of ant are there in a single nest? Do some have wings??

The Soldier caste is not found in British species of ant, but I thought I would show a picture of one here which ‘The Reglet' (a very good friend of mine) found for me when we were in Hong Kong (he woke me up at 3 am to show it to me!). Note the huge head which is packed with muscle. The primary function of this caste is defence of the nest. Often workers are the first ants into the fight but the soldiers are quickly called in to render assistance to their smaller colleagues. Examples of species in which soldiers can be found are; various army ants, some Leaf Cutters, and Messors.

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Male ants, as shown in the picture left (winged) quite often the smaller of the three castes, have only one role in life - to inseminate a virgin queen during the mating flight. Once they have performed this task they die within a few days. Male ants are produced from unfertilised eggs normally laid by the queen. Their antennae are not jointed as are the other castes, though they have perhaps the best eyesight of all casts.