altruistic

Definition

Describing behavior that benefits others at a cost to oneself, often observed in social insects like ants and bees where individuals may perform self-sacrificial actions for the good of the colony.

Etymology

From Latin 'alter', meaning 'other', with the suffix '-istic' denoting an adjective form.

Example

Worker ants display altruistic behavior when they defend the colony from predators, sacrificing their lives if necessary.

Synonyms

• Self-sacrificing
• Selfless
• Unselfish

Related Terms

• Eusociality
• Kin selection
• Colony
• Social insects

Usage Notes

Altruistic behavior is a crucial part of the survival and success of many social insect colonies, such as those of ants, bees, and termites.