What structural detail distinguishes the antennae of male A. gracilipes from workers?
Answer
Males possess 13 segments, while workers have 12
A significant morphological difference exists between the male Yellow Crazy Ants and the worker caste concerning their antennae structure. Specifically, the male ants have antennae composed of thirteen segments. This one-segment difference compared to the worker's twelve segments is a fine-point detail utilized by experts for conclusive taxonomic identification. Since males are rarely the individuals observed outside of specific reproductive swarming events, confirming the 12-segment count on encountered ants is usually sufficient to identify them as workers.
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