Queen ants can usually be distinguished from workers on the basis of their larger size and more complex thoracic structure. (Cerapachys (antennatus-group) species)

Danum Valley Field Centre, Sabah Borneo
Solenopsis pergandei queen and workers.  

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Pseudomyrmex gracilis dealate queen.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Solenopsis pergandei queen and workers.  

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Solenopsis pergandei queen and workers.  The workers spend their entire lives underground and are nearly blind, but the queen's large eyes are used early in her life when she disperses from her natal nest to start a new colony.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Crematogaster lineolata queen with her retinue of workers.

Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
Crematogaster lineolata queen with her retinue of workers.

Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
Solenopsis invicta, young alate queen in the nest.

Austin, Texas, USA
A young Stigmacros queen pauses to groom herself while looking for a spot to found a new colony.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
Queen ants can usually be distinguished from workers on the basis of their larger size and more complex thoracic structure. (Cerapachys (antennatus-group) species)

Danum Valley Field Centre, Sabah Borneo
Queen ants can usually be distinguished from workers on the basis of their larger size and more complex thoracic structure. (Cerapachys (antennatus-group) species)

Danum Valley Field Centre, Sabah Borneo
Queen ants can usually be distinguished from workers on the basis of their larger size and more complex thoracic structure. (Cerapachys (antennatus-group) species)

Danum Valley Field Centre, Sabah Borneo
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013