The Evolution of Activity Breaks in Eusocial Bees
Author Information
Author(s): Oliver Mitesser, Norbert Weissel, Erhard Strohm, Hans-Joachim Poethke
Primary Institution: Universität Würzburg
Hypothesis
The model predicts that activity breaks in the nest cycle of annual eusocial bees increase the fitness of a colony.
Conclusion
Activity breaks are a counter-intuitive outcome of varying mortality rates that maximise the reproductive output of primitively eusocial nests.
Supporting Evidence
- The model predicts a systematic temporal structure of breaks that aligns with field data.
- Activity breaks can increase the survival of developing larvae and brood cells.
- The observed activity patterns in the field are similar to those generated by the model.
Takeaway
Bees sometimes take breaks from working to help their babies grow better, even if it seems like they are wasting time.
Methodology
A simple difference equation model was used to analyze colony development during a season, incorporating parameters like worker efficiency and survival rates.
Limitations
The model does not account for differences between founding and growth phases of colony development, and the timing of the first break may be inaccurately predicted.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on the halictid species Lasioglossum malachurum.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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