Facultatively social species exhibit behavioral plasticity in response to changes in ecological
conditions and social environment, and thus provide a natural experiment to compare …

Trophallaxis is a complex social fluid exchange emblematic of social insects and of ants in
particular. Trophallaxis behaviors are present in approximately half of all ant genera …

Highlights•Nutrient-sensing, endocrine pathways decoupled from reproduction in social
insects.•Diapause requirements may shape the evolution of these relationships.• …

As honey bee populations decline, interest in pathogenic and mutualistic relationships
between bees and microorganisms has increased. Honey bees and bumble bees appear to …

Predicting insect responses to climate change is essential for preserving ecosystem services
and biodiversity. Due to high daytime temperatures and low humidity levels, nocturnal …

Developmental plasticity generates phenotypic variation, but how it contributes to
evolutionary change is unclear. Phenotypes of individuals in caste-based (eusocial) …

Division of labour occurs in a broad range of organisms. Yet, how division of labour can
emerge in the absence of pre-existing interindividual differences is poorly understood. Using …

Social transmission and host developmental stage are thought to profoundly affect the
structure of bacterial communities associated with honey bees and bumble bees, but these …

Omnipresent in virtually all terrestrial ecosystems and of undisputed ecological and
economical importance, the study of social insects is an area that continues to attract a vast …

Assured fitness returns models for the evolution of sociality emphasize the selective value of
ensuring that offspring receive adequate parental care to reach maturity. If a member of a …