In a neotropical bee (a hymenopteran), there is a genetic polymorphism for eusoc

Question

In a neotropical bee (a hymenopteran), there is a genetic polymorphism for eusociality versus solitary breeding. In eusocial groups, female workers remain inside their home colony and raise fall sisters (r = 0.75). Solitary queens raise their own offspring (r = 0.5) without the help of sterile workers. In one habitat, parasitoid wasps are common (lay their eggs inside bee larvae and kill the bee larvae) and there is a high risk of parasitism of bee larvae by these wasps, female workers increase the average number of sisters produced in the colony by 30 individuals, whereas solitary breeders produce an average of 5 offspring in this environment? In another habitat where there are no parasitoid wasps, helpers increase the average number of sisters produced in the colony by 10 individuals, whereas solitary breeders produce an average of 25 offspring? Determine whether cooperative or solitary breeding will be favored in each habitat by using Hamilton's rule (Br > C) in each habitat. How are eusociality and larval predation linked to each other?

Explanation / Answer

According to the Hamilton's rule the parasitoid activity of the wasps leads to increase in the number of the population and under the stress conditions the helper bees are considerably increases the population.

So according to the Hamilton's rule the cooperative breeding practice should be followed as it results in the number of colonies and their will be better survival.

Larval predation is the commons phenomena as the mostly solitary wasps lay their eggs in the bees comb and kill their host eggs this makes the wasps valuable for horticulture. Eusociality is favoured as they makes the sisters exceptionally closely related to each other and Makes the progeny useful.

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