The Sociobiology of Insect Societies

The sociobiology of insect societies studies how social behaviors in insects, like ants, bees, and termites, evolve to benefit the colony. These behaviors include cooperation, division of labor, and communication, driven by genetic relationships and survival needs. By working together—such as workers tending to the queen and offspring—individual insects increase the chances of their shared genes being passed on. This social structure resembles a unified "superorganism," where each member's role supports the colony’s success, highlighting how behavior and evolution are intertwined in shaping complex insect societies.