Glossary of Ant Terms

A

Abdomen: The third section of the ant’s body.
Alate: A winged, sexually mature ant.
Altitrunk: Fusion of thorax and propodeum.
Antennae: Sensory appendages on the head.
Apterous: Wingless.
Arboreal: Nesting above ground in trees.
Aculeate: Having a stinger.
Aposematic: Bright coloration warning of predators.
Aggression: Hostile behavior towards threats.
Allogrooming: Cleaning behavior between ants.

B

Brood: Eggs, larvae, and pupae.
Bivouac: Temporary nest for army ants.
Bioindicator: Species indicating ecosystem health.
Biodiversity: Variety of life in an area.
Batesian Mimicry: Harmless species mimics harmful one.
Bolas Spider: Predators of male moths that mimic pheromones.
Bioluminescence: Emission of light by living organisms.
Bivouac: Army ant temporary shelter.
Biorhythm: Natural cycles of behavior.
Brachypterous: Having reduced wings.

C

Caste: Different roles in an ant colony.
Chitin: Material making up the exoskeleton.
Colony: A group of ants living together.
Clypeus: A plate on the front of the head.
Cocoon: Protective case for pupae.
Cuticle: Outer layer of the exoskeleton.
Cremaster: Hook on a pupa used for hanging.
Cladistics: Method of classifying species.
Chemoreception: Detection of chemical stimuli.
Cryptic Species: Species that are very similar in appearance.

D

Diapause: Period of suspended development.
Drone: Male ant.
Dolichoderinae: A subfamily of ants.
Dimorphism: Differences in appearance between individuals.
Dispersal: Movement of ants to new areas.
Division of Labor: Different tasks for different ants.
Defensive Mechanism: Methods of protection.
Discoid: Disc-shaped body.
Dufour's Gland: Secretes chemicals for communication.
Depredation: Act of preying upon.

E

Eclosion: Emergence of an adult from pupal case.
Eusocial: Highly social organization.
Exoskeleton: External skeleton of an ant.
Elytra: Hardened forewings.
Endemic: Native to a specific region.
Ectoparasite: Parasite living on the outside of a host.
Ergatoid: Wingless reproductive ant.
Eusociality: Highest level of social organization.
Ecomorph: Morphological variation within a species.
Entomopathogen: Pathogen that infects insects.

F

Foraging: Searching for food.
Formicarium: An artificial ant nest.
Formic Acid: Chemical used in defense.
Frass: Insect excrement.
Fungus-growing Ants: Ants that cultivate fungus.
Frontal Carinae: Ridges on the ant’s head.
Fertility: Ability to reproduce.
Fitness: Ability to survive and reproduce.
Fission: Colony splitting to form new colonies.
Fossorial: Adapted for digging.

G

Gaster: Rear part of the abdomen.
Gyne: A queen ant.
Geniculate Antennae: Elbowed antennae.
Grooming: Cleaning behavior.
Gregarious: Tending to form groups.
Gall: Abnormal growths on plants caused by insects.
Geophagy: Eating soil or clay.
Gut Microbiota: Microorganisms in the digestive system.
Gallery: Tunnel within a nest.
Gonad: Reproductive organ.

H

Haplodiploidy: Sex determination system.
Hymenoptera: Order including ants, bees, and wasps.
Holometabolous: Complete metamorphosis.
Hydrocarbons: Chemicals used for communication.
Hyperparasitism: Parasite of a parasite.
Heliconius: Genus of butterflies mimicking ants.
Habitat: Natural environment of an organism.
Haploid: Single set of chromosomes.
Hibernation: Dormancy during cold periods.
Host: Organism that a parasite lives on or in.

I

Inquiline: Organism living in another’s nest.
Instar: Developmental stage of larvae.
Isoptera: Order including termites.
Integument: Protective outer layer.
Infestation: Large number of pests.
Insecticide: Chemical used to kill insects.
Incipient Colony: Newly founded colony.
Intercastes: Ants with traits of more than one caste.
Invasive Species: Non-native species causing harm.
Iridescence: Shimmering effect of the exoskeleton.

J

Juvenile Hormone: Regulates development.
Juveniles: Young ants before becoming adults.
Jetting: Defensive behavior using formic acid.
Jelly: Nutrient-rich substance fed to larvae.
Joints: Articulations between ant segments.
Jewel Ant: Ant with iridescent exoskeleton.
Jugate: Paired appendages.
Junction: Meeting point of tunnels.
Joules: Unit of energy ants use.
Juga: Paired projections on the head.

K

Kin Selection: Evolutionary strategy favoring relatives.
Kleptoparasitism: Stealing food from other ants.
Karyotype: Number and appearance of chromosomes.
Kinesis: Random movement in response to stimuli.
Katydid: Insect often preyed upon by ants.
Krill: Small crustaceans sometimes eaten by ants.
Keystone Species: Species crucial to ecosystem balance.
Kenya Ant: Specific ant species found in Kenya.
Karyogamy: Fusion of nuclei in reproduction.
Kleptobiosis: Behavior of stealing food from other ants.

L

Larva: Immature stage of ants.
Leafcutter Ants: Ants that cut leaves to grow fungus.
Lateral: Pertaining to the sides.
Luciferase: Enzyme in bioluminescent organisms.
Lumen: Inside space of a tubular structure.
Labium: Lower lip of an insect.
Labrum: Upper lip of an insect.
Ligula: Tongue-like structure.
Leptogeny: Mode of colony founding.
Linepithema: Genus including Argentine ants.

M

Mandibles: Jaw-like structures.
Myrmecology: Study of ants.
Metamorphosis: Transformation from larva to adult.
Monogyny: Single queen in a colony.
Monomorphic: Single body form.
Myrmecophyte: Plant that has a symbiotic relationship with ants.
Mesosoma: Middle section of an ant’s body.
Mutualism: Symbiotic relationship benefiting both parties.
Mating Flight: Aerial breeding event.
Mycelium: Fungal network cultivated by ants.

N

Nuptial Flight: Mating flight of reproductive ants.
Nematodes: Parasitic worms.
Nurse Ants: Ants that care for the brood.
Niche: Role of an organism in its environment.
Nectar: Sweet liquid produced by plants.
Node: Segment of the ant’s petiole.
Nomadic: Moving from place to place.
Nestmate: Member of the same colony.
Nocturnal: Active at night.
Neonate: Newborn ant.

O

Ocelli: Simple eyes on the head.
Omnivorous: Eating both plants and animals.
Ootheca: Egg case.
Outworld: Foraging area in a formicarium.
Oviposition: Egg laying.
Osmoregulation: Maintaining water balance.
Ommatidia: Units of a compound eye.
Olfactory

P

Pheromones: Chemicals used for communication.
Pupa: Developmental stage between larva and adult.
Polygyne: Multiple queens in a colony.
Polymorphism: Existence of different forms within a species.
Petiole: Narrow waist segment connecting thorax and abdomen.
Propodeum: First abdominal segment fused with the thorax.
Phototaxis: Movement toward or away from light.
Parasitoid: Organism that ultimately kills its host.
Proventriculus: Foregut section involved in food storage and digestion.
Protandry: Males emerging before females during development.

Q

Queen: Reproductive female ant.
Queenright: Colony with a functional queen.
Quorum Sensing: Collective decision-making process.
Queenless: Colony without a queen.
Quiescent: Period of inactivity or dormancy.
Queen Pheromone: Chemical signals produced by the queen to regulate colony behavior.
Quarantine: Isolating new ants to prevent disease spread.
Quaternary Compound Eye: Eye structure in some ants with multiple lenses.
Quiescence: State of inactivity.
Quadrate: Square-shaped body part.

R

Replete: Ant specialized in storing food.
Reproductive: Ants that can breed, including queens and males.
Raptorial: Adapted for seizing prey.
Replete: Worker ant that stores food.
Regurgitation: Process of sharing food mouth-to-mouth.
Rove Beetle: Beetle species often associated with ants.
Recognition Pheromone: Chemical used to identify colony members.
Rugae: Wrinkles or folds on an ant’s body.
Rhabdom: Light-sensitive part of the compound eye.
Rictal: Related to the corner of the mouth.

S

Soldier: Larger worker ant with strong mandibles.
Scout: Ant that searches for food.
Social Stomach: Crop used to store and share food.
Swarming: Mass mating flight of ants.
Symbiosis: Mutual beneficial relationship with other organisms.
Stridulation: Sound production by rubbing body parts.
Spiracle: Breathing hole on the exoskeleton.
Sclerotized: Hardened body parts.
Substrate: Surface or material where ants live.
Sympatric: Species living in the same geographic area.

T

Trophallaxis: Exchange of food or other fluids among colony members.
Thorax: Middle section of the ant’s body.
Tergite: Dorsal (top) part of an abdominal segment.
Tentorium: Internal support structure in the head.
Tarsus: Segment of the ant’s leg.
Trophic Eggs: Non-viable eggs used as food.
Taxis: Movement toward or away from stimuli.
Tibia: Second segment of the leg.
Termite: Insect sometimes mistaken for ants.
Temporal Polymorphism: Different forms appearing at different times.

U

Urogomphi: Paired structures on the last abdominal segment.
Uropod: Appendage on the rear of some insects.
Undulation: Wavy movement.
Uptake: Absorption of nutrients.
Univoltine: Producing one generation per year.
Umbrella Ant: Ant that uses leaves as a cover.
Urocyon: Genus of foxes that interact with ants.
Utricle: Small sac-like structure.
Urban Ants: Species adapted to living in cities.
Ureter: Tube carrying urine from kidney to bladder.

V

Ventral: Related to the underside of the body.
Vibratory Communication: Sending messages through vibrations.
Vitellogenin: Protein important for egg development.
Vivarium: Enclosure for keeping animals or plants.
Venation: Arrangement of veins in a wing.
Vestigial: Reduced or non-functional body part.
Viscous: Thick, sticky consistency.
Voltinism: Number of generations per year.
Veil: Protective cover for the nest.
Ventral Gland: Gland located on the underside of the body.

W

Worker: Non-reproductive female ant.
Wing Bud: Developing wing on a young ant.
Wheeler’s Organ: Sensory organ in larvae.
Wax Bloom: Protective waxy coating.
Wasp Mimicry: Resembling wasps for protection.
Weaver Ants: Ants that build nests by weaving leaves.
Winnow: Process of cleaning seeds by removing husks.
Wax Glands: Glands producing wax.
Wander: Moving without a fixed course.
Warrior Ant: Another term for soldier ant.

X

Xenobiosis: Living with ants of another species.
Xylophagous: Feeding on wood.
Xeric: Adapted to dry environments.
Xanthophyll: Yellow pigment in plants and insects.
Xerophilous: Thriving in dry conditions.
Xerophyte: Plant adapted to dry environments.
Xenomyrmecophily: Association with foreign ant species.
Xylem: Tissue in plants transporting water.
Xenograft: Transplantation of tissues between species.
Xenodiagnosis: Using an animal to diagnose a disease.

Y

Yellow Crazy Ant: An invasive ant species.
Yeast: Fungi sometimes associated with ants.
Yolk: Nutrient-rich part of an egg.
Yponomeutidae: Family of moths interacting with ants.
Y-maze: Tool for studying ant behavior.
Yolk Gland: Gland producing egg yolk.
Yellow Fever Mosquito: Vector interacting with ants.
Yard Ant: Common ants found in yards.
Yeast Cells: Microorganisms found in ant habitats.
Yellow Ants: Common name for certain Lasius species.

Z

Zoophagy: Feeding on other animals.
Zoology: Study of animals.
Zootype: Archetype of animal structure.
Zygote: Fertilized egg cell.
Zoospore: Asexual spore with flagella.
Zygoma: Part of the skull.
Zooplankton: Microscopic animals in water, sometimes food for ants.
Zoonosis: Disease transmitted from animals to humans.
Zymogen: Inactive enzyme precursor.
Zonation: Distribution of species in zones.