The hairs of ant larvae accomplish different functions1. One of them is the attachment of the larvae to the substrate. This is important, for example, to save space or, if necessary, to maintain the larvae away from the wet floor holding them to the walls of the chambers.

These larvae of Tetramorium impurum where photographed in A Fonsagrada (Lugo, Spain), in october 2008. Note the larvae attached to the root, and have into account that some of them fell, so the number of larvae attached to it was higher. The second and thirds photos are details of the squared larva in the first one. Note that the larva is attached to the root only by some of her hairs!

1. 1. Wheeler G, Wheeler J .  1976.  Ant larvae: review and synthesis.. Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Washington. 7:1-108.