How is reproductive division of labor maintained in insect societies?

1. Queen fertility signal - We hypothesize that reproductive-specific hydrocarbons on the cuticle signal nestmates the presence of a reproductive.
2. Egg policing - The reproductive-specific hydrocarbons are transferred to the eggs. This can result in the destruction of worker-laid eggs.
3. Transmitting the signal - We hypothesize that eggs serve as a signal transmission tool to spread it throughout the colony.
4. Worker policing - In some cases worker-laid eggs are not chemically different from queen eggs which results in lack of egg policing. Egg laying workers may be attacked by fellow workers or the queen.
5. Hormonal regulation of reproduction - How do juvenile hormone, ecdysteroids and biogenic amines influence reproduction and worker policing?

Miscellaneous other projects:

1. What generates benefits of group living that may drive the evolution of eusociality?
2. What determines differential development in female ants?
3. What regulates worker aggression in ants?
4. What fertility signals exist that function as alternatives to hydrocarbon profiles?