Queens may live up to 15 years, workers from 4 to 7 years. The winged swarmer ants are often confused with swarming termites. See Figure 2 for comparisons. Comparison between ant and termite. Ants feed on a variety of foods such as sweets, starches, greases, and other plant and animal materials.
Some species feed on a substance called honey dew, which is secreted by aphids.
These aphids may be tended on plants and cared for by the ants. Almost all ant species feed on secretions from their own larvae. Adult ants are restricted to a liquid diet. They may appear to eat solids but are merely squeezing the liquid from the food. Sugar granules may be dissolved in liquid and then imbibed.