What is the primary role of Ant Swarmers in a colony?

The primary role of ant swarmers, also known as alates, in a colony is reproducing. These are the winged male and female ants that leave the established colony during the nuptial flight, which typically occurs at specific times of the year. Their main purpose is to mate and establish new colonies. After the mating process, the female swarmers, or queens, will land, shed their wings, and search for suitable locations to start new colonies. This is critical for the survival and expansion of ant populations, as it allows for genetic diversity and the establishment of new colonies in different areas.

Foraging for food, building the nest, and cleaning the colony are tasks typically performed by worker ants rather than swarmers. Worker ants are essential for maintaining the current colony's needs, while swarmers focus solely on reproduction during their brief time in the life cycle of the colony.