This ant species is composed of only queens — no workers or males

Nature News · Feb 24, 2026 · Collected from RSS

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RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT 24 February 2026 Temnothorax kinomurai queens survive by invading the nests of a related ant species and co-opting its workers. A queen Temnothorax kinomurai (left) tries to sting a Temnothorax makora worker. Credit: Kyoichi Kinomura For the first time, scientists have identified an ant species that is made up entirely of queens. Lacking males and worker ants, it parasitizes other ants to survive and reproduces asexually1. Access options Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription 27,99 € / 30 days cancel any time Subscribe to this journal Receive 51 print issues and online access 185,98 € per year only 3,65 € per issue Rent or buy this article Prices vary by article type from$1.95 to$39.95 Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout Additional access options: Log in Learn about institutional subscriptions Read our FAQs Contact customer support doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-00517-9 Subjects Latest on: Zoology Whistle while you whinny: researchers identify two sounds straight from the horse’s mouth News 23 FEB 26 Parasitic wasps use tamed virus to castrate caterpillars Research Highlight 13 FEB 26 This bonobo had a pretend tea party — showing make believe isn’t just for humans News 05 FEB 26