Chapter 12. Insect societies


Vespid wasp nest. (After Blaney 1976.)
Vespid wasp nest. (After Blaney 1976.)


12. Insect societies

12.1.1. Aggregation

12.1.2. Parental care as a social behavior

12.2. Eusociality in insects

12.2.1. The primitively eusocial hymenopterans

12.2.2. Specialized eusocial hymenopterans: wasps and bees

12.2.3. Specialized hymenopterans: ants

12.2.4. Isoptera (termites)

12.3. Inquilines and parasites of social insects

12.4. Evolution and maintenance of eusociality

12.4.1. The origins of eusociality in Hymenoptera

12.4.2. The origins of eusociality in Isoptera

12.4.3. Maintenance of eusociality — the police state

12.5. Success of eusocial insects

 Further reading