Evidence for multiple mating in the primitively eusocial wasp Ropalidia marginata (Lep.) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Abstract

Asymmetries in genetic relatedness created by haplodiploidy have been considered to be crucially important for the evolution of worker behaviour in Hymenoptera. Multiple mating by the queens destroys this asymmetry and should make kin selection less powerful. The number of males that social insect queens mate with is thus of considerable theoretical interest especially in primitively eusocial species. The results presented here provide evidence for multiple mating by foundresses of the primitively eusocial wasp Ropalidia marginata (Lep.).