The Ecology and Evolution of Helping in Hover Wasps (Hymenoptera: Stenogastrinae)

Abstract

In this chapter, I discuss the ecology and evolution of helping in hover wasps (Stenogastrinae), a tropical group that is uniquely suited for experimental studies in the field. I first outline the ecological benefits of helping that have been tested for in hover wasps, such as insurance advantages and direct fitness for helpers. I then discuss explanations for individual variation in helping decisions–why only some female offspring become helpers; ...