What characteristic does a queen ant possess?

A queen ant is characterized by her ability to live significantly longer than other ants in the colony, often for a span of one to 15 years. This longevity is crucial for the survival and growth of the colony, as the queen's primary role is reproduction. She is responsible for laying eggs that will ensure the continuation of the ant colony over an extended period.

Additionally, while queen ants do not engage in colony maintenance tasks like foraging or defense, they play a pivotal role in starting and sustaining the colony through reproduction. The other options highlight traits that do not accurately reflect the queen's characteristics—she does not live only several weeks, she typically produces a large number of eggs rather than just a few, and while she might not be involved in daily maintenance, her function is integral to the colony's lifecycle.