Alates

Definition

Winged, sexually mature individuals in social insect colonies, typically produced seasonally for dispersal and founding new colonies. In termites, ants, and some bees and wasps, alates are the only caste with fully developed wings and functional reproductive organs, contrasting with the permanently wingless workers and soldiers that maintain the parent colony. Alates usually emerge in synchronized swarms (nuptial flights), mate, shed their wings (dealation), and establish new colonies.

Etymology

From Latin alatus, winged, from ala, wing

Example

In subterranean termites (Reticulitermes), alates of both sexes leave the colony on warm, humid evenings to swarm, pair, and initiate new colonies; in honey ants (Myrmecocystus), alates are the only colony members capable of flight and independent reproduction.

Synonyms

• winged reproductives
• swarmers

Related Terms

• dealation
• Caste
• Nuptial flight
• ergate
• soldier
• Neoteny
• colony founding

Usage Notes

Plural 'alates' is standard in entomological literature; singular 'alate' is less common. Not all winged insects are alates—the term specifically denotes the reproductive dispersal caste in eusocial species. Contrast with 'dealate' (wingless after shedding) and 'apterous' (permanently wingless). In termite literature, 'alate' often implies the pre-dispersal stage, while 'dealate' describes the post-flight, colony-founding individual.