Abstract:

The classic model of queen resource allocation by Macevicz and Oster predicts maximal fitness with a “bang-bang” strategy; an initial investment phase of worker rearing, followed by a production phase of solely reproductive rearing. This has been well-verified with altered conditions and assumptions for continuous differential equation models. In the current study, these basic claims are verified and I propose a simplified simulation model, uniquely accounting for random events such as forager death and forager success. I show the differing results of the continuous and simulation models and illustrate the limited capacity of current theories for modelling risk in the annual social insect resource allocation problem. Given a wide variety of possible environmental conditions and resource allocation strategies, this simulation provides great utility in measuring fitness and robustness. Current findings include non-standard variability in reproductive yield (reminiscent of early worker death) under realistic environmental conditions, suggesting great importance of risk assessment in early annual social insect queens.