Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of ants?

The correct answer highlights that ant workers are sterile females, not males. In ant colonies, the worker caste is composed primarily of female ants that do not reproduce. Their role is to gather food, care for the queen's offspring, and maintain the nest.

Complete metamorphosis is a significant characteristic of ants as they undergo distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. This process allows for specialization of functions within the colony.

Additionally, ants are known for having distinct social castes, which include queens, workers, and drones (males). This caste system is essential for the functioning of their colonies, as each caste plays a specific role in the lifecycle and operations of the ant society.

Searching for food and water indoors is a common behavior among ants, especially when conditions are favorable. Their foraging activities can lead them into homes, seeking out available resources.

This understanding of ant biology and behavior emphasizes the correct identification of characteristics that define them, particularly the distinction regarding worker ants being sterile females.