Ameisenkönigin

Ameisenkönigin, the German term for "ant queen," refers to the primary reproductive female within an ant colony. Her role is central to the survival and expansion of the colony, as she is typically the sole individual capable of laying fertilized eggs. While other females in the colony, known as workers, are sterile, the queen's reproductive capacity ensures a continuous supply of new ants.

The life cycle of an ant queen begins as a winged adult, alongside other potential queens and males, during a mating flight. After mating, she sheds her wings and seeks a suitable location to establish a new colony. She then begins laying her first batch of eggs, which will develop into the first generation of workers. These workers will then take over the duties of foraging, nest maintenance, and defense, allowing the queen to focus exclusively on reproduction.

Ameisenköniginnen can live for many years, often a decade or more, and can lay thousands of eggs during her lifetime. Her pheromones play a crucial role in colony cohesion and regulation, suppressing the reproductive development of worker ants and signaling her presence and status. The health and longevity of the Ameisenkönigin are therefore directly linked to the prosperity and continuation of the entire ant colony.