Kevin Bower, age 10, of Montoursville,Pa., for his question:

HOW LONG IS THE LIFE SPAN OF AN ANT?

The ant that pestered your picnic last summer may arrive again next summer. She may also arrive the following and the following summer. For, barring accidents, the average worker ant may expect to carry on her busy duties through about seven years. A queen ant has an even longer life span, though she seldom makes a public nuisance of herself. Barring accidents, her life span may be 10 or even 15 years.