slave ant

noun

1. an ant taken as a larva or pupa by ants of another species and becoming a working member of the captor colony.

slave ant

noun

1. any of various ants, esp Formica fusca, captured and forced to do the work of a colony of ants of another species ( slave-making ants ) See also amazon ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of slave ant¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

The same gentleman another day observed a slave ant venture out to the entrance to the ant-hill to enjoy the warmth of the sun.

From Project Gutenberg

Every ant in the colony seemed to be employed in this laborious occupation, yet there was not a white slave-ant among them.

From Project Gutenberg