The queen ant is somewhat different from the male or worker ants compared to their external appearances and habit. So, if you want to know – what does a queen ant look like, let’s find your answer in this article.
Quick answer: queens are female ants larger than workers and initially possess wings. They (queen ants) have a larger thorax and a heart-shaped gaster (abdomen).
Here, I will show you the essential external structural difference among the male, worker, and female ants. Thus, you may quickly identify the female ants (queen) from the ant colony.
Again, I will also provide other essential facts about the queen ants that you might know as an ant lover or keeper. Let’s continue this article to learn the external features of the queen ant and their interesting facts.
What does a queen ant look like?
Like other insects, female ants (ant queens) do have a head, thorax (mesosoma), and abdomen (gaster). If you find any ants in the ground, mostly it’s always the worker ant.
These workers are also the older female ants that do not reproduce. They perform all the work to keep the ants’ colony alive and healthy.
But, these workers ant don’t consider the queen. So, what does a queen ant look like compared to a worker?
Here, I will provide a summary of the queen ant’s external features; so that you may easily understand what do the queen ants look like. Let’s see the external features and interesting facts of the ant queen in short –
- The female queen ant possesses a unique head, larger thorax or mesosoma, and a heart-shaped large abdomen (gaster),
- Ant queen usually have 2 pairs of wings that attach to the thorax (when they first emerge),
- Now, the ant queen emerge from the colony and flies through the air,
- They meet the male ants and mate with them,
- Now, the ant queen rubs and breaks off its wing with the help of its legs,
- The abdomen or gaster becomes larger (nearly heart-shaped) as they expand with the developing eggs,
- The sting or spray behind the gaster (abdomen) is not so well developed in the female queen ants,
So, these are the most important external features of the female queen ants. I hope you understand the external appearance of the female queen ants.
But what are the main differences between the queen and male ants? Well, to find more concise answers on this topic, let’s see the information from the next section of this article.
Difference between male and female queen ants
You may quickly identify the male and female ants (both queen and worker) with their external appearance. Here, I will show some basic external features that help you differentiate the male ants from the female queen ants.
Again, you may also differentiate the female worker ants from the queen ants from your ant’s farm or colony. You might consider the following features to differentiate the male ants from the queen ants –
- Size of the ants,
- Antennae of the ants,
- Structure of the ant’s thorax,
- Wings of the ant’s thorax,
- Size and appearance of the ant’s abdomen or gaster,
- Sting or spray the ants, and
- Different unique behaviours,
Let’s see the information in table 1 that helps you to differentiate male ants from queens (both female queens and workers) –
| Features | Queen ants | Male ants | Worker ants |
| Size | Larger | Smaller | Larger |
| Head | Larger | Smaller | Larger |
| Antennae | Smaller | Larger | Well-developed |
| Thorax | Well-developed | Smaller | Smaller |
| Wings | Initially have wings | Have wings | No wings |
| Gaster | Heart shaped | Normal | Small |
| Sting | Not developed | Well-developed | Well-developed |
| Behaviors | Mate and lay eggs | Mate then die | Collect food, Nurse larvae, pupa |
With this information, you may easily identify the male and female (both worker and queen) from the ant colony. Now, let’s see the pictures of male, female queens, and female workers.
You will find more pictures of male and female queen ants on social media of insect pet.
Now, let’s know the details of the external features of the female queen ants; so that you may clearly identify them from any sources.
External anatomy – what does a queen ant look like?
You know there are 3 defined segments present in the female queen ants –
- Head – that possesses mainly the compound eyes, mandibles, mouth, and antennae,
- Thorax or mesosoma – packed full of muscles and possessing 3 pairs of legs and wings (2 or 3 pairs), and
- Abdomen or gaster – is an expanded structure behind the thorax of female queen ants,
Between the mesosoma and gaster segments of the female queen ants, you will find a petipole or node. Different female queen ants species possess 1 or 2 petipole or nodes in between the mesosoma and gaster.
All these 3 main segments from the female queen ants are identified in the labeled diagram. Now, let’s know a little about these 3 segments of the female queen ant.
Head of female queen ants
Here, I will show the essential structure of the head of the female ants. But you may know more about the head or any other segments of ants (or other insects) from the article below –
- How many body parts do insects have?
The head of an ant mainly shows the compound eyes, ocelli, mouth, mandible, and antennae. Like other insects, ants also possess compound eyes with hundreds of lenses.
These lenses of the ants’ eyes combine the image in their brain. Generally, the female worker ants possess the most effective vision compared to the female queen ants.
- Suggested article for you from insect pet: do insects have brains – insect brain anatomy,
Some of the queen ants in the colony living in the dark chamber have low vision power. Again, some of the queen ants of the colony may be blind. The ant’s head also possesses 3 simple eyes (ocelli) like the other insects.
The mandibles are the essential structure of the ant’s head that use to hold and carry different materials like food. A female queen ant also uses these mandibles for biting, crushing, and digging hole in the nest.
“Female queen ants don’t use forelegs to hold their feed or other materials”.
The unique structure of the ant’s head is the presence of antennae. Female queen ants use the antennae to communicate with other ants.
But, the female worker ants use this antenna to communicate and search for their food. Ants (female or male) release pheromones from their antennae, and other nest mates can recognize them.
Queen ant with wings – thorax structure
The thorax of the queen ants is well-developed compared to these of the female workers and male ants. It is the second part of the female queen ant’s body and sometimes terms as the mesosoma.
The essential features of the queen ant’s thorax are the presence of the followings –
- Have 3 segments in the thorax of the queen ants,
- Possess 3 pairs of legs (3 on both right and left sides),
- Have 3 (sometimes 2) pairs of wings, and
- Larger thorax area, which encloses the muscles,
So, in a female queen ant, you will see the initial wings (2 or 3 pairs – varies on the ant’s species). But, before laying eggs, these winged female queens rub and break their wing with the help of their strong legs.
The legs of the queen ants are designed for running so fast. You will also find the hooked claws on the end part of each leg of the female queen ants.
Abdomen or gaster of female queen ants
Gaster is the end part or segment of the female queen ant’s body. This is the third part which is comparatively larger in the female queen ants.
In this gaster of the queen ants, you will find vital organs like the heart, organs of the digestive system, and different structures. On the end of the female queen ant’s gaster, you will see the tiny opening (sting) that sprays acid on its prey.
But unfortunately, the sting on the caudal end of the gaster is not so well-developed in the female queen ants. But, in the female worker ants, this sting is very well-developed.
I think, now you got the clear message on your question – what does a queen ant look like. Again, you can differentiate the queen ants from the female worker and male ants easily.
“The ants that you may see around you are mostly female worker or young queen. You may rarely find the male ants in environment or near the ant’s colony.”
Does queen ant bite?
Generally, the female queen ants do not bite you, whereas the female worker ants can bite. If you see the external anatomical facts of the female ants, you will see the followings that do not allow them to bite anyone –
- Female queens have comparatively less robust mandibles, mouths, and antennae,
- They sting on the female ants are not well-developed like the female worker,
- They are very calm and quite, love to stay in the darker area of the ant’s nest,
Entomologists stated that female queen ants do not usually bite a human or other animals. They only stay in the ant nest for feeding and laying eggs.
On the other hand, female workers have strong mandibles, antennae, and well-developed strings. They are very active compared to the female queen ants and bite humans and others.
So, you may say the female queen ants are also used for reproductive purposes, not for defence. They seek defence in the nest from other worker female ants.
When do queen ants come out?
Sometimes you may see winged ants around you, especially after the rainy season, winter, and spring. Do you think all these winged ants are female queens?
The answer is – no; not all these winged ants are female queens. But the question is – when do the queen and male ants come out from the nest?
Mostly, after the rain or in the breeding season (winter or fall), the queen ants come out from the nest. They are the young queen (winged) and love to fly in the air and search for the male to meet with them.
After meeting with the male, the female ants return to the nest and remove their wings. They become ready for egg laying, and for that, they dig a hole in the corner of their nest.
Queen ant in the house
Sometimes you may see winged female queen ants in your house. They are also the young queen and escape from the nest to meet with the male.
Now, let’s know some other interesting facts about the female queen ants of the ant colony.
Other unique facts about queen ants
Here, I will discuss the following interesting facts about the queen ants –
- How many queen ants may find in the single ant colony?
- Long live the female queen ants,
- How is a queen ant born?
- Sanitary and other behaviour of female queen ants,
So, let’s get started to learn these above-mentioned unique features from the female queen ants.
How many queen ants are in a single colony?
In the past day, it was thought that the single ant colony had only 1 single female queen ant. But, different ant keepers and entomologists examined that there may have more than one or two female queen ants in a single colony.
So, a small-sized ant colony may have 2 – 4 female queen ants. Again, the larger ant colony may have more than 10 – 12 female queen ants.
Thus, the larger the ant colony, the more giant the female queen ants.
Long live the female queen ants
The female queen ants can live for a long time – an average of 15 – 17 years. These female queen ants begin to grow older in the colony.
At a specific time, these female queens die in the colony. So, who will the queen and keep continue this colony?
The female worker ants become the new queen and continue that specific colony.
Sometimes, some ant keepers noticed that the queen ant could live in the colony only for 2 – 4 years. Let’s see the average lifespan of the following queen ants from table 2 –
| Female queen ants | Lifespan |
| Carpenter queen ants | 18 – 20 years |
| Fire ants queen | 5 – 8 years |
| Pharaoh ants queen | 6 – 17 months |
| Rover ants queen | 15 – 18 years |
| Crazy queen ants | 25 – 30 years |
| Little black ants queen | 6 – 15 months |
| Ghost ants queen | 5 – 8 weeks |
| Argentine ants queen | 2 – 15 years |
So table 2 shows the significant variation in the lifespan of the various ant queens. You may know the details of these ants species (worker and queen) from other articles on insectpet.
How is a queen ant born?
In the mating or breeding season, female and male ants go outside the nest. They (male and female, young queen ants) fly higher in the air and mate.
The male ants finish their jobs, whereas the female queens start their life’s work. The young queen returned to the nest and rested for a while.
They shed their wings and crawl around the nest to find the suitable one for them. These female queens make suitable chambers in the nest to lay eggs.
You may know more about the female queen ant’s eggs and their life cycle in a little from the below-mentioned article –
- What do ant eggs look like?
Female digs the tunnel in the chamber of their nest and finally lay eggs. After a few days, these eggs hatch and become larvae. They complete the four stage of their life cycle and shows the followings –
- Some of these larvae or pupa become other queens or workers, and
- Less percentage of larvae or pupa become male,
But, entomologists found good research results in the ant’s colony when females lay eggs –
- In the first 2 – 4 years, the female queen ants only produce the worker female, and
- After 5 years, female queen ants lay eggs and may produce female queens and a few males,
So, you may say the queen ant can be born after completing the 4 stages of an ant’s life cycle.
Sanitary and other behavior of female queen ant
The female queen ants love to keep them neat and tidy. However, they (female queen ants) love to hind them in the corner of the colony but keep themselves clean.
They don’t like the dump area or environment, so they can migrate from outside to the house in the rainy season.
The female queen ants are also considered loyal creatures of the world. They love to take fruits and sweet and juicy materials. You may also know more about their feeding materials from the article below –
- What do fire ants eat?
Frequently asked questions on female queen ant
In this section, I will enlist the common question about female queen ants with their concise answer. You already got the basic information on – what does a queen ant look like.
The actual figures (pictures) will make you understand the differences among the female queen, female workers, and male ants. Now, let’s see the frequently asked questions on the female queen ant from the different ant keepers or learners –
What does a queen carpenter ant look like?
The external appearance of the queen carpenter ant is similar to the ideal queen, but you will find the variation in their length and size. They are an average of 0.5 inches long and have variations in body colour.
The queen carpenter ants may be black or bicolour (black and red). But, sometime, you may also find the brown or all-black color in the female carpenter ant’s body.
The thorax of the female carpenter queen is rounded and possesses 3 pairs of legs. They have a single node (petiole) in between the mesosoma and gaster.
Another important feature is found in the antennae of the female carpenter queen ants. They possess 12 – segmented antennae, which are smooth and have no club.
How rare is it to see a queen ant?
A queen ant is rarely seen outside of the ant’s colony. You will only find the young queen ants outside of their colony during the breading or mating season.
Most probably, after the rain, winter, and spring, you may find the queen ants outside of their nest. They love to hide in the darker place of the ant’s nest and lay eggs.
Again, if you think about the number of queen ants in the colony – you will see them frequently (an average of 4 – 15 queen ants per colony).
Does a queen ant ever come out?
Yes, the young queen ants come out from the colony for the very first time. They come out from their colony due to finding their mate (male ants).
At that time, both the female queen and male queen ants possess wings. But you may easily identify them with the help of their antennae, body size, and stings.
After a successful meeting, the males finish their job, and the females start their work correctly.
Can queen ants harm you?
No, queen ants are inactive and loyal creatures in the ant’s colony. They won’t harm you or bite you as they have no developed sting on the caudal end of their abdomen.
They (female queen ants) only remain in the nest for feeding and laying eggs.
Do queen ants live forever?
No, queen ants don’t live forever. But, they can live for a long time (several months to several years) compared to the male ants.
I have already provided the average lifespan of some of the queen ants in this article (table 2). You will find the idea of the lifespan of the queen ants from that table.
They average live for 5 weeks – 30 years (depending on the ant species).
What does a queen ant’s face look like?
The face of the queen ant has compound eyes, simple eyes (ocelli), a mouth, a mandible, and antennae. All these structures make their face unique from the other insects.
But, you may find variation in the face of different queen ants. Mostly, you will find long or short smooth antennae in the female ant’s face.
Are queen ants born or made?
The queen ants are born from eggs. Typically, the female ants that lay eggs the first time don’t produce any female queen.
But, when these ants lay eggs after 4 or 5 years, most eggs hatch and queen ants are born. The rest of the eggs are the female worker and male ants.
But, after the era of female queen ants, the female worker becomes the queen in the colony.
Conclusion
So, you got the basic answer to your question – what does a queen ant look like. The queen ant looks like the ideal insect that possesses 3 segments – head, thorax, and abdomen (gaster).
The queen ant has a larger rounded thorax and wings than the male or worker ants. They also possess an expanded (heart-shaped) abdomen or gaster, whereas the worker female possesses a simple abdomen.
