Cataglyphis ants comprise one of the most characteristic groups of insects in arid regions
around the Mediterranean basin and have been intensively studied over the last 30 years …

The cuticle of social insects is a barrier against desiccation and a channel for chemical
communication, two characteristics fundamental to the success of this group. The …

Microplastics (MPs) are growing and ubiquitous environmental pollutants and represent one
of the greatest contemporary challenges caused by human activities. Current research has …

Individual recognition (IR) requires individuals to uniquely identify their social partners
based on phenotypic variation. Because IR is so specific, distinctive phenotypes that stand …

Background Ant colonies are plagued by a diversity of arthropod guests, which adopt
various strategies to avoid or to withstand host attacks. Chemical mimicry of host recognition …

Chemical communication is central for the formation and maintenance of insect societies.
Generally, social insects only allow nest-mates into their colony, which are recognized by …

Insect societies play a crucial role in the functioning of most ecosystems and have fascinated
both scientists and the lay public for centuries. Despite the long history of study, we are still …

Social insects have evolved sophisticated recognition systems enabling them to accept nest-
mates but reject alien conspecifics. In the social wasp, Liostenogaster flavolineata …

Simple Summary Although fiercely defended by workers, ant societies can be infiltrated by
social parasites that exploit the whole colony and its resources, instead of taking advantage …

Vespicochory, seed dispersal by hornets, is an uncommon seed dispersal pattern in
angiosperms. To date, this phenomenon has been recorded in only four families. Because of …