Which of the following is NOT a body segment of an ant?

Ants have a structured body comprised of three main segments: the head, thorax, and abdomen. The head includes critical features such as the mandibles, compound eyes, and antennae, which are essential for feeding, sensing the environment, and communication. The thorax is the middle section and is responsible for locomotion, as it houses the legs and wings (if present). The abdomen, which is the posterior part of the body, contains vital organs related to digestion and reproduction.

The term "cocoon" refers to a protective casing spun by some insects during their pupal stage, especially in species that undergo complete metamorphosis. Ants, however, do not create cocoons; instead, their life cycle involves a larval stage after hatching from eggs, progressing to pupae and then emerging as adult ants. Thus, the term "cocoon" does not correspond to a body segment of an ant, making it the correct answer in this context.