Subsocial insects

Definition

Insects that exhibit a level of social behavior where individuals share resources and sometimes cooperate in brood care, but lack true reproductive division of labor.

Etymology

From Latin 'sub', meaning 'under' or 'below', and 'socialis', indicating a less developed form of sociality.

Example

Subsocial insects, such as certain species of spider wasps, share nesting sites and sometimes brood care, but individual females are responsible for raising their own offspring.

Related Terms

• Parasociality
• Cooperation
• Brood care

Usage Notes

Subsociality is a step towards true sociality, with some degree of shared responsibility but lacking the specialized roles found in eusocial insects.