This chapter introduces inquilines, trophallaxis, lifespans, Toktokkie, wordpods, and mead.

Inquilines are the term for insects that cohabitate commensally with other insect species, usually with no harm coming to the host; unlike parasites that live off the host at the host's expense. Ants have many inquilines, also called myrmecophiles (ant lovers), that live in their nests. One particular insect, a rove beetle, more specifically an Aleocharine beetle, actually mimics the chemical language of its host ant. And just as the novel indicates, some of these beetles look like ants.

Beading liquid for a nestmate to drink is called trophallaxis.

For a male ant, mating is usually the only function so they die soon afterward. Depending on the species, workers can live from half a year to five years, and queens range from three years to twenty, although some survive past thirty.

Toktokkie, the language of the beetles. It wouldn't be that difficult for sentient insects to learn this language because it simply requires drumming one's body into the ground, which many insects do already.

A wordpod is a Myrmecan tool, usually made from a seed husk, that can enclose chemical words for delivery.

Mead is a fermented drink made from honey. Myrmeca's mead is made from honeydew.