Social insects 320-ERS-1SINL

Substantive content:
Social insects are among the most intriguing organisms on our planet. The sacrifice of own reproduction in favor of fitness of other individuals posed a serious challenge to the Darwinian view of evolution. Moreover, advanced insect societies add a new level to the organization of living things, called superorganisms. During the course, students are introduced into the theoretical background explaining social phenomena in insects and other animals. The emphasis is made on the peculiarities of hymenopteran insects (ants, wasps, bees) in that respect. The general rules are exemplified with the natural history of socially primitive and advanced species. During laboratory courses, students prepare experiments demonstrating the communication systems in ants. They also use experimental setups to study the division of labor and competition between alien ant colonies. Students also practice techniques useful in the field studies of ants and learn how to recognize selected species during the trip to the nearby meadow and pine forest (filed trip available only during the summer semester).