Ants are fascinating creatures that live together in large and well-organized groups. But what is a group of ants called? Usually, it’s called a colony. Other terms like army and swarm are also used, depending on the ants’ activity. For example, ants moving on the ground as a team are often called an army. When ants have wings and are flying during mating season, they are commonly referred to as a swarm. This blog will explore what makes these ant groups so special and take a deeper look into their types and unique structures.
The Structure of an Ant Colony
An ant colony is like a busy little world! It’s made up of different groups that all have specific jobs to keep everything running smoothly.
The Queen
The queen is the most important ant in the colony. She starts the colony by laying all the eggs. Some queens can live for years and lay thousands of eggs in their lifetime. Queens are larger than other ants and stay in the nest most of the time.
Worker Ants
Worker ants are the busiest of all. They take care of the queen’s eggs, collect food, and maintain the nest. They don’t reproduce, which means they focus only on keeping the colony safe and well-fed.
Soldier Ants
Soldier ants are bigger and tougher than the workers. Their job is to protect the colony from predators or other ant colonies. Think of them as the guards of the ant world!
The teamwork in an ant colony is incredible. Each type of ant knows its role and works hard for the group. Read our latest post on Flying Ants Texas: Everything You Need to Know in 2025
Types of Ant Groups
There are several ways to describe a group of ants based on where they live or how they behave. Here are a few terms you might find interesting:
Nests
A nest is the physical place where an ant colony lives. These can be found under the ground, inside logs, or even in people’s homes. Nests are often simple and have tunnels leading to larger rooms where the queen and eggs are kept.
Formicaries
A formicary is another word for an ant nest. This term is less common but is often used by scientists or experts when studying ants. Yesterday we published post on Carpenter Ants vs Black Ants: Appearance, Behavior & Life Cycle Differences
Supercolonies
Some ants create supercolonies that are huge! These can have millions, or even billions, of ants living together. Supercolonies spread across large areas with multiple nests connected by tunnels.
Physical Structure of Nests
Ant nests, or formicaries, are beautifully crafted by the ants themselves. They dig tunnels and chambers and arrange their home with care. Some nests are found underground, while others may be inside logs, under rocks, or even up in trees. Ants often build their nests in places that are warm and protected from predators.
Ants use materials like soil, leaves, and even their own saliva to build their nests. A pile of soil or sand near a tiny hole often signals the entrance to an ant nest. These entrances lead to a world full of tunnels and chambers inside.
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Final Thoughts
Ants may seem small, but their world is rich with organization and teamwork. From the hardworking worker ants to the protective soldier ants, each member of a colony has an important job. Whether they form simple nests, complex supercolonies, or move together as an army, ant groups showcase incredible cooperation.
If you’re curious about ants or spot them in your backyard, take a closer look! Remember, each ant’s tiny actions contribute to the survival of the whole colony. Follow Us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter for the latest updates.
FAQs
What do you call a group of ants?
A group of ants is called a colony, but if they are crawling together on the ground, they might be called an army, and if they are flying, they are often referred to as a swarm.
Is a group of ants a swarm?
Swarm is the term used when there are winged ants, especially during mating season. However, other groups of ants, like those in the nest, are called colonies.
What is a pile of ants called?
A pile of ants is often part of a colony and could also be referred to as a nest, depending on whether it involves their home.
Is an army of ants correct?
Yes, army is the proper term when ants move together in large groups while searching for food or relocating their colony.
What happens when a queen ant dies?
If the queen ant dies and there are no larvae to grow into a new queen, the colony will eventually die. This is because without a queen, no new ants can be born.
