alate

Alate is an entomological term for a winged individual, especially a winged reproductive morph in several insect groups. The word derives from Latin alatus, meaning winged, and is used to describe insects during stages of dispersal and mating.

In eusocial insects such as termites and ants, alates are the sexually mature winged males and females that participate in nuptial flights to mate and disperse to new locations to found colonies. After flight, they typically shed their wings and become dealate reproductives that establish new colonies. In termites, alates have two pairs of wings of roughly equal length; in ants, wing size can differ between forewings and hindwings, and wings are shed after mating.

In aphids and some other plant-feeding insects, alates are winged dispersal forms produced in response to crowding, deteriorating host quality, or seasonal cues. Winged aphids migrate to new host plants where they may reproduce and establish new colonies, contributing to population spread.

Morphology and development of alates vary among groups, but a common feature is the presence of two pairs of wings and a body adapted for flight. Winged individuals are typically temporary stages used for dispersal; in many species, wings are shed once a suitable habitat or host has been reached, giving rise to a wingless, reproductive or overwintering caste.

Ecologically, alates enable gene flow and colonization across habitats. They play a crucial role in the life cycles of several pest species and are often monitored in pest management to assess outbreak or infestation risk. See also de-alate and nuptial flight.