antling

plural antlings

1. A small, immature, or miniature ant.

   Some of these caves were used as nurseries for eggs, larvaa, and antlings; [...]

   1905, Harper's Magazine, volume 111, page 297

   3 more examples

   Certainly, the kicking of the imprisoned antling is apparent enough to attract even the most stupid nurse, and the vigor of the motions, perhaps even the beginning of them, might easily give warning of the proper time for cutting the envelop.

   1876, American Entomological Society, Transactions of the American Entomological Society - Volume 5 - Page 289

   This antling was, as indeed all the larvae and cocoons appeared to be, of the dwarf caste.

   1884, The Annals and magazine of natural history

   Fortunately it so "happens " — if that be the lawful word — that its puparium is invariably formed at the posterior pole of the ant cocoon, directly opposite the anterior pole from which, as the point next to its jaws in its recumbent position, the antling emerges, and to which, as the point of fracture, the strain and force within and without are directed.

   1909, Henry Christopher McCook, Ant communities and how they are governed

   Synonyms: antlet