Soldier

Pronunciation: /SOHL-dee-er/

Category: Social Behavior

Singular: Soldier

Plural: Soldiers

Definition

A term used in social insects like ants and termites to describe a non-reproductive individual that performs tasks such as defense, foraging, or nest maintenance.

Etymology

Example

The soldier ants protect the colony from invaders.

Related Terms

Caste
Queen
Worker

Usage Notes

Soldiers are typically larger than other individuals in the colony and may have specialized morphology for defense.