Ants below to the order Hymenoptera, same as a wasps and bees. Hymenoptera means membranous wing. All ants belong to the family Formicidae.
Key characteristics of order Hymenoptera:
Chewing mouthparts
Complete metamorphosis
Two pair of wings (except worker ants)
Front wings larger than hind pair
Constricted waist, pinched abdomen
Ants are social insects that live in colonies. Ant colonies consist of the queen and the workers. The primary function of the queen is to lay eggs. Workers do everything else in the colony: gather food, care for the young, and expand the nest.