The scientific name for a winged ant is “alate.” The word “alate” is derived from the Latin word “ala,” which means “wing.” Alates are produced by ant colonies when the colony is mature and ready to reproduce. The alates leave the colony and mate in the air. After mating, the female alates find a suitable place to start a new colony.
The pronunciation of “alate” can vary depending on the region. In the United States, the most common pronunciation is “AY-luht.” In the United Kingdom, the most common pronunciation is “AL-uht.”