ergates
/ˈɜrɡəˌtiz/
noun
- A worker ant or other social insect that performs labor for the colony.
- Unlike the queen, an ergates does not reproduce but focuses entirely on colony tasks.
- In an ant nest, ergates are the ones that build and repair the tunnels.
- The ergates in the colony spend their days gathering food and caring for the young.
Synonyms