What is the primary role of queen ants in a colony?

What is the primary role of queen ants in a colony?

• A. They reproduce and lay eggs.
• B. They collect food for workers.
• C. They defend the nest from predators.
• D. They pollinate flowers.

Answer: (A)

Queen ants serve as the reproductive center of the colony; their main job is to reproduce and lay eggs that hatch into the next generation of workers, soldiers, and future queens. This ongoing egg production keeps the colony growing and sustained over time, since workers handle foraging, care for the young, and nest maintenance. The tasks of gathering food and defending the nest are performed by workers or soldiers, not the queen, and pollination is not a typical role for ants. So reproducing and laying eggs is the primary role.

Queen ants serve as the reproductive center of the colony; their main job is to reproduce and lay eggs that hatch into the next generation of workers, soldiers, and future queens. This ongoing egg production keeps the colony growing and sustained over time, since workers handle foraging, care for the young, and nest maintenance. The tasks of gathering food and defending the nest are performed by workers or soldiers, not the queen, and pollination is not a typical role for ants. So reproducing and laying eggs is the primary role.