Question

read the passage. then answer the question below.
the winter ant is a species that lives in colonies in the appalachian mountains. the behavior of these ants can change their habitat. for example, as winter ants dig nests underground, they move nutrients from the surface to deeper in the soil.
winter ants eat dead earthworms, fruit, and a sugary substance produced by aphids. even though winter ants dont eat seeds, they can move seeds around as they crawl through the forest looking for food. wherever these seeds land, they can grow into new plants.
which of the following best describes a population at an ant nest in the appalachian mountains?
the aphids, the earthworms, and the fruit
a colony of winter ants
the soil, the nutrients, and the seeds

Explanation:

A population refers to a group of individuals of the same species living in a particular area. In this context, a colony of winter ants is a group of the same species (winter ants) living together (in a nest in the Appalachian Mountains). The other options include multiple different species (aphids, earthworms) or non - living components (soil, nutrients, seeds).

Answer:

a colony of winter ants