The metapleural gland (MG) is a complex glandular structure unique to ants, suggesting a
critical role in their origin and ecological success. We synthesize the current understanding …

Sociality can be associated with significant costs due to the increased risk of disease
transmission. However, in some organisms the costs may be offset by benefits due to …

Multiple mating by females (polyandry) remains hard to explain because, while it has
substantial costs, clear benefits have remained elusive. The problem is acute in the social …

Symbioses shape all levels of biological organization. Although symbiotic interactions are
typically viewed as bipartite associations, with two organisms interacting largely in isolation …

The paired exocrine metapleural glands present in the large majority of ant species produce
compounds with antibiotic properties. In the leaf-cutting ant, Acromyrmex octospinosus, the …

Hygienic behaviour is an important aspect of social organisation because living in
aggregations facilitates the spread of disease. Leaf-cutting ants face the additional problem …

Background Reproductive division of labor in eusocial insects is a striking example of a
shared genetic background giving rise to alternative phenotypes, namely queen and worker …

The differences in ecology between the obligatory perennial ants and termites, and the
annual bees and wasps are discussed. The extent to which non-uniform loads of parasites …

Ants are the only group of insects that have metapleural glands. Secretions of these
exocrine glands are known to have antibiotic properties and have been hypothesised to …

Although social insect colonies are most easily conceptualized as consisting of a single,
once–mated queen and her worker progeny, the number of queens per colony and the …