ants are insects which always live in groups or colonies.there may be 100000 ants in a colony but they all have the same mother.she is called the queen ant.

the ants that you are most likely to see are called workers.these are all females,yet they are unable to lay eggs,for their sex organs are not fully developed.

most ants do not have wings,as they live in sheltered nests,where wings would get in the way.but for a short time each year,usually on a warm,muggy day,the air is full of flying ants.these are the males and the egg-laying females,leaving the nest for their mating  which enabled them to fly are used to give them energy until the first young workers hatch.from then on the workers collect food for themselves,their young sisters and the queen!