Ameisenköniginnen

Ameisenköniginnen, often translated as "ant queens," are the reproductive females of an ant colony. They are distinguished from other ants by their larger size, particularly their abdomen, which is adapted for egg production. A queen's primary role is to lay eggs, ensuring the continuation and growth of the colony. In most ant species, there is typically only one queen per colony, though some species can have multiple queens.

The life cycle of an ant queen begins as a winged virgin. She participates in a nuptial flight, a mating ritual where she flies out to meet males from other colonies. After mating, she sheds her wings and searches for a suitable location to establish a new colony, often in soil, wood, or under stones. Once a nest site is secured, she lays her first clutch of eggs. She then cares for these initial offspring, feeding them from her own body reserves until the first worker ants mature. These workers then take over the tasks of foraging, nest maintenance, and brood care, allowing the queen to focus solely on egg-laying.

The lifespan of an ant queen can be remarkably long, often several years and in some cases even decades, far exceeding the lifespan of worker ants. This longevity is crucial for the stability and success of the colony. Her pheromones also play a vital role in colony cohesion, regulating the behavior of workers and suppressing the reproductive development of other females. When a queen dies, the colony may eventually perish or experience a significant decline unless a new queen is successfully raised and takes over.