Inside a laboratory nest a young fire ant queen (Solenopsis invicta) tends to her first eggs. In nature, the queen seals herself in an underground chamber and raises the first workers on her body reserves. Laboratory colony at the University of Central Florida, USA

Solenopsis invicta, young alate queen in the nest. Austin, Texas, USA

Unmated queens of Stigmatomma pallipes- still bearing wings- in the nest. South Bristol, New York, USA