Red Wood Ant worker's head. "Workers supply all the food and are the builders of their wonderful colonies."

Red Wood Ant Worker's Head

Red Wood Ant worker's head. "Workers supply all the food and are the builders of their wonderful colonies."

"In a colony are the females, which are the largest in size." The females are very long-lived.

Red Wood Ant Female

"In a colony are the females, which are the largest in size." The females are very long-lived.

The larva is the stage right after the eggs are laid. In this stage, the larva is white and legless.

Red Wood Ant Larva

The larva is the stage right after the eggs are laid. In this stage, the larva is white and legless.

The male red wood ant has wings, and after pairing is allowed to stray away and soon die.

Red Wood Ant Male

The male red wood ant has wings, and after pairing is allowed to stray away and soon die.

"The cocoons represent the pupa stage; they are commonly called ant-eggs, and are carefully tended by the workers."

Red Wood Ant Pupae (bottom)

"The cocoons represent the pupa stage; they are commonly called ant-eggs, and are carefully tended by…

"The cocoons represent the pupa stage; they are commonly called ant-eggs, and are carefully tended by the workers."

Red Wood Ant Pupae (side)

"The cocoons represent the pupa stage; they are commonly called ant-eggs, and are carefully tended by…

While the pupae are in the cocoon, they are incased in a shelter, often called an ant-house.

Red Wood Ant Shelter of Pupae, so-called ant-house

While the pupae are in the cocoon, they are incased in a shelter, often called an ant-house.

The workers supply all the food and are the builders of their wonderful colonies.

Red Wood Ant Worker

The workers supply all the food and are the builders of their wonderful colonies.

The workers supply all the food and are the builders of their wonderful colonies.

Red Wood Ant Worker (side)

The workers supply all the food and are the builders of their wonderful colonies.