Swarmer: meaning, definitions and examples
🐝
swarmer
[ ˈswɔːrmər ]
insect behavior
A swarmer is a term used to describe an adult insect, especially in the context of certain social insects like bees and ants, that leaves the colony in a swarm to mate or establish a new colony. This behavior is particularly observed during specific seasons when conditions are optimal for reproduction and dispersal. Swarmer refers to those individuals that take flight in large numbers in search of mates.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The swarmers emerged in the warm evening air.
- During summer, the bees send out swarmers to find new nesting sites.
- The ant colony released swarmers to propagate their species.
Etymology
The term 'swarmer' derives from the verb 'to swarm,' which has its roots in Old English 'sweorm' meaning 'to swarm or move in a mass.' The word has evolved to encapsulate the behavior of certain insects that leave their colonies in a collective manner for reproduction. Historically, swarming has been a critical biological mechanism for species propagation, especially among social insects like honeybees and certain species of ants. The phenomenon is influenced by environmental factors, genetic triggers, and seasonal changes, leading to the formation of swarmers that play an essential role in the life cycle of these insects. The word has been used in entomological studies to describe specific behaviors related to mating rituals and colony expansion.