How are female ants categorized?

Female ants are categorized by classes, which refers to the different roles or castes within an ant colony. In most ant species, the primary classes of females include the queen and the workers. The queen's main role is reproduction, while worker ants are responsible for foraging, caring for the queen's offspring, and defending the nest. This classification is essential for understanding the organization and function of ant colonies, as different classes perform distinct but complementary tasks that contribute to the colony's success and survival.

While size and color may vary among individual ants, they do not serve as a primary means of categorization. Behavior can also differ among classes, but it is the classification into defined roles or castes that provides a clearer understanding of the structure and function within the colony. Thus, categorizing female ants by classes offers a more comprehensive insight into their social organization and roles.