Temporary queens in metapolybia wasps: nonreproductive helpers without altruism?
In Metapolybia aztecoides some mated females produce only workers, losing in competition with other similar egg-layers before producing either males or queens. Worker production by these ultimately nonreproductive females may incidentally benefit others without lowering individual fitness (without "altruism"). It could be a by-product of mutualism rather than of kin selection or parental manipulation.
West-Eberhard
M J
MJ