The
red imported fire ant is known to have colonies in both polygyne and monogyne forms. The small red ant,
Leptothorax acervorum, has colonies that switch from monogyny to polygyny as a result of seasonal fluctuations. The little fire ant
Wasmannia auropunctata produces unique kinds of meiotic
oocytes with a drastic reduction in recombination. These oocytes may either fuse together for gyne production (
automictic parthenogenesis with central fusion) or be fertilized by male gametes for the production of workers. In the wasp species
Apoica flavissima queens display distinct morphological differences from the sterile worker class. In
Ropalidia plebeiana, gynes do not stay in the nest after they emerge as adults, but may spend their winters in their maternal nests. ==See also==