Which statement describes the role of soldier ants?

Which statement describes the role of soldier ants?

• A. They forage for food and maintain the nest.
• B. They reproduce new queens.
• C. They protect the colony from predators.
• D. They clean the nest.

Answer: (C)

Soldier ants are specialized for defense. In many ant colonies, different castes take on distinct jobs, with workers handling foraging and nest maintenance, and queens focused on reproduction. Soldiers are larger and equipped with strong mandibles and other defenses, and their main job is guarding the colony and repelling predators or threats at the nest. This protective role keeps the rest of the colony—food gatherers, brood caretakers, and nest builders—safe to do their tasks. So the statement that they protect the colony from predators best captures what soldier ants do.

Soldier ants are specialized for defense. In many ant colonies, different castes take on distinct jobs, with workers handling foraging and nest maintenance, and queens focused on reproduction. Soldiers are larger and equipped with strong mandibles and other defenses, and their main job is guarding the colony and repelling predators or threats at the nest. This protective role keeps the rest of the colony—food gatherers, brood caretakers, and nest builders—safe to do their tasks. So the statement that they protect the colony from predators best captures what soldier ants do.