Social insects maximize resource acquisition and allocation through division of labor and
associations with microbial symbionts. Colonies divide labor among castes and subcastes,
where the plasticity of caste roles decreases in clades with higher social grades. Recent
studies indicate that specific castes may also foster distinct gut microbiomes, suggesting
synergies between division of labor and symbiosis. The social organization of a colony
potentially partitions evolutionary persistent microbial partners to optimize symbioses and …