Georgia Correctional Officer (CO) Practice Exam

Which of the following statements about swarmers is true?

1. They are strong fliers

2. They are defenseless during mating

3. They do not form new colonies

4. They remain in the colony indefinitely

The correct answer is: They are defenseless during mating

Swarmers are a specific stage in the life cycle of certain social insects, particularly ants and termites. These insects typically take flight to reproduce, with their primary purpose being to mate and establish new colonies. The statement that swarmers are defenseless during mating is true because, during this phase, they engage in reproductive activities that leave them vulnerable to predators and other threats. This period requires a focus on mating rather than self-defense, leading to heightened risk. The other statements do not hold true in context. Swarmers are indeed strong fliers, which is crucial for their role in dispersing and establishing new colonies. They also actively participate in forming new colonies after mating. Furthermore, swarmers do not remain in the colony indefinitely; their lifecycle includes specific stages that require them to leave the parental colony to mate and eventually establish a new one, thus demonstrating the necessity of their transient nature.