> Interspecies mating is known in a few ant species, where the sperm of a queen’s own species can produce larvae that become new queens but not sterile workers. The queens have solved this challenge by also mating with males of another species to produce workers

That's wild, explains the whole point of why the cloning is necessary, and leaves me with unanswered questions. Most of all - why??? That seems like a huge weakness!

I have read a comment to the effect looking for aliens when we have so many unexpected bizarre species issues in our own biosphere begs questions. If you'd told me this was a viable niche, I'd have said it's right out of an SF novel.