Claustral colony founding

Definition

A type of social insect colony founding where a solitary queen seals herself off in a chamber, relies on her body reserves to produce the first brood, and does not leave the nest until workers mature and take over foraging responsibilities.

Etymology

From Latin 'claustrum', meaning 'enclosure' or 'confined space'.

Example

Many species of ants exhibit claustral colony founding, where a queen seals herself in a chamber and rears her initial brood using stored body reserves.

Related Terms

• Social insects
• Colony structure
• Nest establishment