Introduction
Do ants grow wings? The answer, as it turns out, is ‘sometimes’. Ants are a variety of insect that can be found in many different habitats around the world. Most ants do not have wings, but there are species of ants that do develop wings for a period of time during the course of their lifecycle. In some cases, the wings are only used briefly for the purpose of mating, but in other cases, ants may use their wings for longer periods of time in order to travel greater distances. This article will explore the phenomenon of winged ants, what purpose the wings serve, and why some ants develop wings while others do not.
Winged Ants
Winged ants are those species of ant that develop wings in order to engage in a process of mating known as swarming. Swarming occurs when a colony of ants develop winged reproductive members. These winged ants will fly away from the colony in mass numbers, typically in the mating season, in order to find a suitable partner to continue the species with. The winged ants only live a short time and die after they have mated and had their offspring.
The process of swarming is believed to be a form of protection for the species as it helps to reduce competition within a colony and it also helps to reduce the spread of parasites and illnesses that may be present within a colony. Swarming does not necessarily occur in all species of ant, but only in those species whose wings are well-developed and strong enough to support flight.
Why Do Some Ants Develop Wings?
In many species of ants, the wings are only present for a short period of time and so the ants cannot use them for any extended period of flight. As mentioned, the purpose of the wings is to facilitate mating. After mating, the wings are not used anymore. However, there are some species of ants that can and do use their wings to travel great distances.
One example is the Australian bull ant, which is known to migrate over large areas in the Australian outback by taking off and landing on individual blades of grass. The wings are used to carry the ant up and over large distances in order to find mates in different colonies. This form of migration helps to spread the species and reduce genetic isolation.
The Development of Wings
In some species of ant, both males and females develop wings. This is true of the honeypot ant, for example. These ants use their wings to migrate over large distances in order to find a mate, but only the female honeypot ant will keep her wings and use them to return to her home colony. In other species, only males develop wings and these wings are discarded by the female after the mating process.
The development of wings can also be linked to a species’ environment. Hypogeic species of ants, for example, rely on underground habitats and have no need for wings as they are adapted for living in a subterranean environment. Other species of ants may develop wings in order to cope with changing climates or to adapt to a new habitat.
The Function of Wings
The wings of ants serve two main functions. The first of these is to facilitate mating. As previously mentioned, winged ant species will swarm in order to mate and spread their species. The second function of the wings is to provide ants with an easy means of travel, particularly over large distances. Ants with wings can fly to far-away colonies or areas to either mate or simply explore new habitats.
Some species of ant are known to use their wings in order to ‘parachute’ to the ground. This maneuver is used in the event of a colony being threatend or destroyed and the ants can use their wings to make their escape. Winged ants can also be used to locate and disperse food sources, as the wings allow the ants to travel greater distances in search of food.
Limitations of Winged Ants
Despite the fact that winged ants exist, the majority of ant species still do not have wings. This is due to the fact that wings can place limitations on an ant’s ability to survive in certain environments or habitats. For example, in many underground species of ant, wings would be a hindrance rather than a benefit. Another limitation is the energy cost associated with flight. Since flying burns calories, winged ants may find it difficult to maintain their energy levels when travelling over larger distances.
Re-evolution of Wings
Interestingly, recent research suggests that in some species of ants the wings can be lost and then re-evolved over time. This re-evolution process, known as ‘regressive evolution’, has been observed in some species of tropical ants in which the wings have been lost and then taken on again as the environment or needs of the species change.
Pros of Winged Ants
The advantages of winged ants cannot be overstated. By offering a means of migration, winged ants can help to spread ant species to new habitats and reduce the risk of inbreeding. Additionally, the wings of ants can help to carry them away from danger or provide a means of escape in the event of colony destruction. Furthermore, the wings of ants provide them with the ability to travel greater distances in the search of food or new mates.
Cons of Winged Ants
Of course, there are also a number of disadvantages associated with winged ants. As previously mentioned, the wings can limit an ant’s ability to survive in certain environments and the energy cost associated with flight can make it difficult for ants to maintain their energy levels when travelling. Additionally, the wings of ants may make them more susceptible to predation as their wings can make them easier to spot for predators.
Summary
In summary, some species of ants do develop wings for a period of time during the course of their lifecycle. The primary purpose of the wings is to facilitate mating, although some species of ant use their wings to travel greater distances in order to find new food or mates in different colonies. The development of wings can be attributed to environmental changes or the need to spread the species, while the wings of ants come with both advantages and disadvantages. Finally, the process of regressive evolution has been observed in some species of ants in which the wings are lost and then taken on again when needed.
