Queenlessness and reproductive differentiation in Ophthalmopone hottentota

Abstract

The reproductive activity of ants in two colonies of Ophthalmopone hottentota was determined by dissecting their ovaries and examining their spermathecae. Queens are absent. There are a number of inseminated workers in each colony, and all these had active ovaries. Thus, the strict association between ovarian activity and Insemination was confirmed for this species.