What is a characteristic feature of an Argentine ant colony?

The presence of multiple queens within one colony is a defining characteristic of Argentine ant colonies. This social structure allows for increased reproductive capacity, enhancing the colony's ability to grow and expand. In fact, the presence of multiple queens contributes to the invasive nature of Argentine ants, as they can rapidly establish large populations in new areas. The presence of more than one queen also allows colonies to be more resilient to environmental pressures and increases their survival rates during adverse conditions.

In contrasting colony structures, many ant species typically have a single queen, making the Argentine ant's polymorphic queen arrangement unique. The other options, such as deep tunnels in the soil or large above-ground nests, are not associated with Argentine ants, as they tend to establish relatively shallow nests and often do not create the large, conspicuous mounds seen in some other ant species. Therefore, the multiple queens in Argentine ant colonies play a critical role in their social structure, reproductive strategy, and invasiveness.