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Story: Ants

Worker ants and pupae

Worker ants and pupae

These native worker ants are feeding pupae (the yellow tubes) in their underground nest. Many worker ants specialise in feeding the colony’s larvae and pupae. As long as enough food is being brought in, more larvae and pupae can be fed, and the colony can keep reproducing indefinitely.

About this item

Natural Sciences Image Library of New Zealand
Reference: In0717Smt
Photograph by Peter E. Smith

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How to cite this page:

John Early. 'Ants', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 25-Sep-11
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/ants/2/4