Small insect with a big heart: 'Giving' aphids endangered by their selflessness
Monday, February 8, 2010 - 23:21
in Biology & Nature
One of the founding principles of Darwin's theory is that biological evolution has been shaped by the survival of the fittest. Things, however, are not always that simple as researchers have discovered while analyzing the social behavior of aphids. A few aphid species have "soldiers" who stop reproducing and instead contribute to the public good. Not only do they risk their lives to defend the nest from invaders, but they also mend and clean it.