The queen fire ant is significantly larger than the worker ants in the colony. Typically, a queen fire ant can measure between 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch in length. This size allows her to store a large number of eggs, which is vital for the colony’s growth.
Unlike the smaller worker ants, which usually range from 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch, the queen’s size is crucial for her role in reproduction. After mating, a queen will often start a new colony by laying hundreds to thousands of eggs, depending on the species and environmental conditions. Her larger size also helps her to dominate other ants and protect her colony from intruders.
Overall, the queen’s size is an important factor in her functionality within the ant colony and impacts the colony’s survival and expansion.