Here are some key points about alates:
* Not all insects are alate: Some insects are wingless throughout their lives, while others only develop wings at certain stages.
* Alates are often associated with dispersal and reproduction: Winged insects can fly to new areas, colonize new habitats, and mate with individuals from other colonies.
* The term "alate" is often used for specific insect groups: For example, alate aphids, alate termites, and alate ants are all winged individuals of their respective species.
So, if you see the term "alate" used in an entomological context, it simply means that the insect in question has wings!