The sole function of the male is to mate with an unfertilized female reproductive. After mating occurs, the male dies. Males are produced in old or very large colonies where there is an abundance of food. After reaching maturity, the male usually doesn't remain in the colony very long. Ants have an egg, larva, pupa, and adult stage.
Eggs are almost microscopic in size and hatch into soft legless larvae.
Larvae are fed by workers on predigested, regurgitated food. Most larvae are fed liquids, although some older larvae are able to chew and swallow solids. The pupa resembles the adult except that it is soft, uncolored and immobile. In many ant species the pupa is in a cocoon spun by the larva. Six weeks to 2 months are required for development from egg to adult in some species.