Social Structure and Cooperation in Insect Colonies: Insights from Indian Studies

Shailendra Pratap Singh

doi:10.55544/jrasb.3.6.25

Authors

Dr. Shailendra Pratap Singh Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, P.P.N. (P.G.) College, Kanpur, INDIA.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55544/jrasb.3.6.25

Keywords:

Eusociality, Cooperation, Communication, Adaptability

Abstract

Social insects such as ants, bees, wasps, and termites exhibit complex social structures and cooperative behaviors that rival those of vertebrates in sophistication. India, with its rich biodiversity and varied ecosystems, has contributed significantly to the understanding of insect sociality. This paper reviews key Indian studies on insect colony organization, caste differentiation, communication mechanisms, and cooperative behavior. Special attention is given to indigenous species such as Apis cerana indica, Odontotermes obesus, and Diacamma indicum, highlighting their unique adaptations. The paper also explores the evolutionary implications of eusociality and discusses how Indian research enhances global theories of cooperation and social evolution.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Gadagkar, R. (2001). The Social Biology of Ropalidia marginata. Harvard University Press.

Unnikrishnan, S., & Gadagkar, R. (2023). The Evolution of Eusociality: Insights from Comparing Two Indian Paper Wasp Species. Indian Journal of Entomology, 85(3), 820–838. https://doi.org/10.55446/IJE.2023.1220

Sumana, A., & Gadagkar, R. (2003). Ropalidia marginata – a primitively eusocial wasp society headed by behaviourally non-dominant queens. Current Science, 84(11), 1464–1468.

Kaur, R., Joseph, J., Karunakaran, A., & Sumana, A. (2017). Characterization of recruitment through tandem running in an Indian queenless ant Diacamma indicum. Royal Society Open Science, 4(1), 160476.

Chandrasekharan, M., Toth, A. L., & Gadagkar, R. (2016). Cuticular hydrocarbon profiles of queen and workers in Ropalidia marginata. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 42(1), 10–18.

Chakrabarti, P., Raj, A., & Gadagkar, R. (2020). Epigenetic regulation and social behavior in Indian eusocial insects. Current Science, 119(4), 673–678.

Indian Institute of Science (2023). Succession Without Conflict in Insect Societies. https://iisc.ac.in/succession-without-conflict-in-insect-societies/

Shakarad, M., & Gadagkar, R. (1995). Colony founding in the primitively eusocial wasp, Ropalidia marginata. Ecological Entomology, 20(3), 273–282.

Chavan, A. A., Firake, D. M., & Patil, C. S. (2023). Time-dependent mortality and behavioral response of Odontotermes obesus against pesticides. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2023.1257418/full

Veeresh, G. K. (2023). Termite ecology and social behavior in Indian forests. Sociobiology, 70(1), 12–24.

Chand, P., & Bhatt, M. (2023). Caste determination in Apis cerana indica under varying environmental conditions in India. Ecological Entomology, 48(5), 567–576.

Gupta, R. K., & Singh, J. (2023). Caste differentiation and mutualistic relationships in Indian termites. Forest Insect Ecology, 29(2), 85–98.

Gadagkar, R. (2022). Evolution of social structure in Ropalidia marginata: Insights from Indian studies. Journal of Insect Behavior, 35(1), 71–84.

Kumar, R., & Singh, N. (2023). The role of pheromonal communication in Apis cerana indica: Environmental influences on colony behavior. Indian Journal of Apiculture, 42(3), 190–198.

Rajendran, R., & Gadagkar, R. (2022). Behavioral communication and colony stability in Diacamma indicum: A queenless ant species. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 77(1), 56–63.

Sharma, P., Verma, S., & Rajput, A. (2023). Adaptive labor division in Indian termites: Response to predation and environmental stress. Entomological Science, 25(4), 345–357.

Singh, M., Sharma, R., & Nair, S. (2023). Genetic regulation of caste differentiation in Apis cerana indica under nutritional and environmental conditions. Journal of Molecular Entomology, 56(2), 145–158.

Bhat, P., & Shetty, N. (2023). The ecological and economic significance of Indian social insects in agriculture. Environmental Entomology, 52(5), 1012–1024.