Work

Socially parasitic ant queens chemically induce queen-matricide in host workers

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Matricide — the killing of a mother by her own genetic offspring — is rarely observed in nature, but not unheard-of. Among animal species in which offspring remain with their mothers, the benefits gained from maternal care are so substantial 1 that eliminating the mother almost never pays, making matricide vastly rarer than infanticide. Here, we report matricidal behavior in two ant species, Lasius flavus and Lasius japonicus , where workers kill resident queens (their mothers) after the latter have been sprayed with abdominal fluid by parasitic ant queens of the ants Lasius orientalis and Lasius umbratus.

Source: Current Biology

DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.09.037

Authors: Taku Shimada, Yuji Tanaka, Keizo Takasuka

Institution: Kyushu University

Language: English

Topic: Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $7,030

Funder: Sumitomo Foundation