 |
|
Why do some queen bees eat their worker bee's eggs?
December 05, 2006Worker bees, wasps, and ants are often considered neuter. But in many species they are females with ovaries, who although unable to mate, can lay unfertilized eggs which turn into males if reared. For some species, such as bumble bees, this is the source of many of the males in the species. But in others, like the honeybee, workers "police" each other - killing eggs laid by workers or confronting egg-laying workers.
In 1964 the English biologist William Hamilton put forward his "relatedness hypothesis", a major landmark in kin selection theory. His hypothesis was that worker bees, wasps and ants do not reproduce because most workers are half sisters. Instead the workers favor the queen's male progeny, since she has mated with multiple males, ensuring variation in the species. According to this theory, a species where the mother queen mates with multiple males would have more worker policing. This theory is widespread and in animal behavior textbooks.
However, Hamilton's relatedness hypothesis was challenged in 2004 by researchers from the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. They compared 50 species and found no evidence that multiple mating by the queen correlated with reduced rearing of workers' sons or greater worker reproductive policing. Were the textbooks wrong"
A new study appearing in the current issue of The American Naturalist strongly supports Hamilton's original theory. Tom Wenseleers and Francis Ratnieks (University of Sheffield) compared 90 species and found that workers' sons are reared 100 times less in species with a queen mated to multiple males. They also found worker policing by the queen, with the queen eating working-laid eggs, in all species with multiple-mated queens, but in only 20 percent with single-mated queens.
"It seems that the textbooks do not need rewriting," write the authors. "Kin selection theory is important when studying relatedness in social behavior. Social insects, with their great variation in kinship, have been a key test bed of the theory, and the theory has revolutionized our understanding of insect societies.\\\
University of Chicago Press Journals
A new study appearing in the current issue of The American Naturalist strongly supports Hamilton's original theory. Tom Wenseleers and Francis Ratnieks (University of Sheffield) compared 90 species and found that workers' sons are reared 100 times less in species with a queen mated to multiple males. They also found worker policing by the queen, with the queen eating working-laid eggs, in all species with multiple-mated queens, but in only 20 percent with single-mated queens.
"It seems that the textbooks do not need rewriting," write the authors. "Kin selection theory is important when studying relatedness in social behavior. Social insects, with their great variation in kinship, have been a key test bed of the theory, and the theory has revolutionized our understanding of insect societies.\\\
University of Chicago Press Journals
Bees Current Events and Bees News RSSMolecular study could push back angiosperm origins
Flowering plants may be considerably older than previously thought, says a new analysis of the plant family tree.
Exotic flowers help bees stay busy in winter
Recent years have seen an unusual rise in the number of bees about in the cold winter months, and scientists are now beginning to find out why.
First of missing primitive stars discovered
Astronomers have discovered a relic from the early universe - a star that may have been among the second generation of stars to form after the Big Bang.
Pesky aphid thrives despite weak immune system
Pea aphids, expert survivors of the insect world, appear to lack major biological defenses, according to the first genetic analysis of their immune system.
Biologist discovers 'stop' signal in honey bee communication
A biologist at UC San Diego has discovered that honey bees warn their nest mates about dangers they encounter while feeding with a special signal that's akin to a "stop" sign for bees.
Fewer honey bee colonies and beekeepers throughout Europe
The number of bee colonies in Central Europe has decreased over recent decades. In fact, the number of beekeepers has been declining in the whole of Europe since 1985. This is the result of a study that has now been published by the International Bee Research Association, which for the first time has provided an overview of the problem of bee colony decline at the European level.
Bees recognize human faces using feature configuration
Going about their day-to-day business, bees have no need to be able to recognise human faces. Yet in 2005, when Adrian Dyer from Monash University trained the fascinating insects to associate pictures of human faces with tasty sugar snacks, they seemed to be able to do just that.
The almond tree's secret weapon
Has the almond tree developed a unique way of drawing potential pollinators?
Study suggests theory for insect colonies as 'superorganisms'
New A team of researchers including scientists from the University of Florida has shown insect colonies follow some of the same biological "rules" as individuals, a finding that suggests insect societies operate like a single "superorganism" in terms of their physiology and life cycle.
BYU students making microscopic worms even more deadly
BYU students making microscopic worms even more deadly Microscopic nematode worms can be a potent organic insecticide, killing crop-raiding bugs without harming plants or beneficial insects and without the environmental side effects of chemicals. But when the worms are mass-bred for agricultural purposes, they tend to, as Byron Adams says, "wimp out," and are not as deadly as their cousins that grow in the wild.
More Bees Current Events and Bees News Articles
 |
Kyjen PP01055 Hide-A-Bee Pet Toy, Large by Kyjen The complete line of Plush Puppies Puzzle Plush Toys will not only keep pets occupied and eliminate boredom, but they also develop a dog's intelligence and puzzle solving skills. Just insert the balls, toys, or rings into the toy for dogs to remove over and over again. The ideal line of toys to challenge and entertain pets. |
 |
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (Author) Sue Monk Kidd's ravishing debut novel has stolen the hearts of reviewers and readers alike with its strong, assured voice. Set in South Carolina in 1964, The Secret Life of Bees tells the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. When Lily's fierce-hearted "stand-in mother," Rosaleen, insults three of the town's fiercest racists, Lily decides they should both escape to Tiburon, South Carolina--a town that holds the secret to her mother's past. There they are taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters who introduce Lily to a mesmerizing world of bees, honey, and the Black Madonna who presides over their household. This is a remarkable story about divine female power and the transforming power of love--a... |
 |
Honey Bee & Beehive Cookie Cutters by Foose Cookie Cutters USA Handmade Cookie Cutters |
 |
Bumble BEE Crystal Necklace in Bee Shaped Gift Box by MyJewelThief.com Gorgeous Pendant with colorful enameling in a matching Velour Hinged Gift Box! Our entire series of these cute animal necklaces makes wonderful gifts! Each pendant hands on an 18" chain, genuine European crystals and 18 kt gold finish. The box is approx. 2.5 inches in diameter. The pendant measures 5/8 inches high by 1/2 inch wide and hangs from 18" chain. Get one of each style! |
 |
The Buzz about Bees: Biology of a Superorganism by Jürgen Tautz (Author), Helga R. Heilmann (Photographer), David C. Sandeman (Photographer) With spectacularly beautiful colour photographs and an easy understandable text The Buzz about Bees tells the story of honeybees in a new perspective. Based on the latest data, notably from his own research group, Jürgen Tautz provides a wonderful insight into the realms of bees. In contrast to the view of bee colonies as perfect societies of selfless individuals ruled by a queen, Tautz introduces them as a "superorganism", a self organizing and complex adaptive system based on a network of communication; a fascinating result of evolution, a mammal in several bodies. The entire range of astonishing bee activities is described. Remarkable action photographs never shown before present bees busy with cell cleaning, caring for the brood, serving in the queen's court, visiting... |
 |
Bees by Rudolf Steiner (Author) In 1923 Rudolf Steiner predicted the dire state of the honeybee today. He said that, within fifty to eighty years, we would see the consequences of mechanizing the forces that had previously operated organically in the beehive. Such practices include breeding queen bees artificially. The fact that over sixty percent of the American honeybee population has died during the past ten years, and that this trend is continuing around the world, should make us aware of the importance of the issues discussed in these lectures. Steiner began this series of lectures on bees in response to a question from an audience of workers at the Goetheanum. From physical depictions of the daily activities of bees to the most elevated esoteric insights, these lectures describe the unconscious wisdom... |
 |
Boston Warehouse Glass Brush, Bee by Boston Warehouse The animal house collection from Boston Warehouse is clever and whimsical. The bee glass brush is no exception. This super fun brush has bristles that fit most glasses-tumblers, wine glasses and more. The handle is soft grip for comfort. 7-Inch tall. Dishwasher safe. From Boston Warehouse: creative ideas for home entertaining. |
 |
International Playthings Honey Bee Tree by International Playthings Players choose their numbered flower trays and then carefully pull leaves out of the honey tree, being careful not to wake the sleeping bees! If you pull out the wrong leaf or if your hand starts to shake,bees will come tumbling out of the tree onto your tray. Once all the leaves are removed from the honey tree, or all the bees are awake and out of the tree, the players with the least amount of bees in his/her flower tray is the winner. Contents: 1 honey pot, 1 old oak tree, 1 flower tray base, 32 leaves, 30 little honey bees, game rules. |
 |
The Backyard Beekeeper - Revised and Updated: An Absolute Beginner's Guide to Keeping Bees in Your Yard and Garden by Kim Flottum (Author) The Backyard Beekeeper, now revised and expanded, makes the time-honored and complex tradition of beekeeping an enjoyable and accessible backyard pastime that will appeal to gardeners, crafters, and cooks everywhere. This expanded edition gives you even more information on "greening" your beekeeping with sustainable practices, pesticide-resistant bees, and urban and suburban beekeeping. More than a guide to beekeeping, it is a handbook for harvesting the products of a beehive and a honey cookbook--all in one lively, beautifully illustrated reference. This complete honey bee resource contains general information on bees; a how-to guide to the art of bee keeping and how to set up, care for, and harvest honey from your own colonies; as well... |
 |
Kyjen Squeakn' Animals 3 pack Bee by Kyjen Three additional bees for your Hide-A-Bee plush toy. This is a toy that challenges and develops your dog's intelligence and puzzle solving skills. |
| © 2010 BrightSurf.com |