Soldier-caste
Guides
Copidosoma
copidosoma wasp
Copidosoma is a genus of chalcid wasps in the family Encyrtidae, comprising over 200 species of polyembryonic parasitoids. These wasps deposit one or two eggs into host Lepidoptera eggs, which then proliferate into thousands of genetically identical embryos. A unique caste system produces two larval morphs: sterile soldiers that defend the host from competitors and reproductive larvae that consume the host and emerge as adults. The genus has been extensively studied for its extreme clonal reproduction and is widely used in biological control programs against agricultural pests.
Copidosoma floridanum
Copidosoma floridanum is a polyembryonic parasitoid wasp in the family Encyrtidae, notable for producing the largest recorded brood of any parasitoidal insect—up to 3,055 individuals from a single egg. Females oviposit into the eggs of plusiine moths, and the resulting embryos undergo clonal division to form genetically identical siblings. The brood develops into two distinct castes: reproductive larvae that emerge as adult wasps, and sterile soldier larvae that defend their siblings from competitors.
Pemphigus spyrothecae
Poplar Spiral Gall Aphid
Pemphigus spyrothecae is a gall-forming aphid that induces distinctive spiral-shaped galls on leaf petioles of Populus nigra. The species exhibits eusocial behavior with a sterile soldier caste comprising first-instar nymphs with thickened hind legs that defend the colony against predators. Colony defense includes fortress defense, gall repair, and maintenance of colony hygiene. The aphid has a holocyclic life cycle with four generations: fundatrix, apterous virginoparae, alate sexuparae, and sexual males and females. Genetic relatedness within galls is high due to clonal reproduction, with clonal mixing averaging 0.68-10.4% across populations.
Pheidole obtusospinosa
Blunt-spined Big-headed Ant
Pheidole obtusospinosa is a species of big-headed ant in the genus Pheidole, characterized by soldier ants with enlarged, squared heads used for nest defense. The species belongs to the hyperdiverse ant genus Pheidole, which contains over 1,000 species globally. Soldiers of this species have been observed using their modified heads to block nest entrances against intruders, particularly army ants such as Eciton burchelli. The species was described by Pergande in 1896.
Pheidole tysoni
Tyson's Big-headed Ant
Pheidole tysoni is a species of big-headed ant in the genus Pheidole, described by Auguste Forel in 1901. As a member of this hyperdiverse ant genus, it exhibits the characteristic worker polymorphism with distinct major and minor worker castes. The species is part of the myrmicine subfamily and is classified within the Attini tribe. Available information about its biology and ecology remains limited in the provided sources.