What characteristic does a queen ant possess?

The characteristic that highlights the longevity of a queen ant is her ability to live for one to 15 years. Queen ants have a significantly longer lifespan compared to other ants in the colony, such as workers or males, which typically live for a few months to a year. This extended lifespan is crucial for the colony's survival and growth, as the queen is responsible for laying eggs and ensuring the continuation of the colony over time.

In contrast, the other choices emphasize aspects that are not typical of a queen ant's role. For example, queens generally produce a large number of eggs, significantly contributing to the population of the colony, which contradicts the idea that she produces few eggs. Additionally, while some worker ants are responsible for colony maintenance, the queen's primary focus is reproduction, and she does not engage in foraging or maintaining the nest. Lastly, the lifespan of several weeks does not reflect the typical longevity associated with queen ants, further highlighting why that option does not align with their characteristics.