Sex-Ratio Selection in Eusocial Hymenoptera

Abstract

Trivers and Hare (1976) were the first to appreciate that the asymmetry in relatedness within a Hymenoptera society held far-reaching implications for sex-ratio evolution. Their theory is developed for a very general model. The ESS [evolutionarily stable strategy] results differ but little from their original treatment. One new factor (termed worker-worker conflict) is introduced and a new equilibrium ratio of investment by workers in new queens is derived. The difficulties of interpreting this result are briefly discussed.