The role of juvenile hormone in dominance behavior, reproduction and cuticular pheromone signaling in the caste-flexible epiponine wasp, Synoeca surinama

摘要: The popular view on insect sociality is that of a harmonious division labor among two morphologically distinct and functionally non-overlapping castes. But this highly derived state not prerequisite for functional society. Rather, caste-flexibility central feature in many eusocial wasps, where adult females have the potential to become queens or workers, depending social environment. In non-swarming paper wasps (e.g., Polistes), prospective fight one another assert their dominance, with losers becoming workers if they remain nest. This aggression fueled by juvenile hormone (JH) ecdysteroids, major factors involved caste differentiation most insects. We tested whether these hormones conserved aggression-promoting functions Synoeca surinama, caste-flexible swarm-founding wasp (Epiponini) reproductive competition high aggressive displays are common. observed behavioral interactions S. surinama field nests before after we had removed egg-laying queen(s). measured ovarian status, hemolymph JH ecdysteroid titers, content, analyzed cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) composition engaged competitive both queenright queenless contexts. These data, combination manipulation experiments, revealed neither nor ecdysteroids necessary expression dominance behaviors surinama. Instead, show likely as gonadotropin directly modifies blend young match reproductive. Hemolymph contrast, different between despite great differences content. endocrine profile shows surprising from those other although rise titers replacement common theme. Extensive remodeling also evident bees, which has been attributed evolution defined Our results regulate caste-plasticity can lose roles even while preserved.