Eusocial insects are characterised by a reproductive caste differentiation such that egg-laying is restricted to a small number of queens. The majority of the colony members function as non-reproducing workers and gain indirect fitness by rearing the offspring of the reproductives. In primitively eusocial species, some workers can also get direct fitness by sneaking in some eggs in the presence of the queens, replacing the queens and becoming new queens, or initiating new nests. Here we aimed to understand the factors that permit some workers to gain direct fitness and alter the number of workers doing so, using the primitively eusocial wasp Ropalidia marginata. We transplanted 12 naturally occurring colonies into large laboratory cages where there was adequate space for the workers to leave their natal nests and initiate new colonies. We compared six control colonies that we provided with ad libitum food placed near the nest to six test colonies in which we hand-fed the wasps in addition to the ad libitum food. Wasps in test colonies consumed more food, showed more aggression, replaced their queens, and initiated new nests significantly more often than those in control colonies. When considering all 12 colonies, the rates of queen replacement and nest foundation were significantly positively correlated with food consumption rates. The additional nutrition gained by hand-fed wasps appears to help workers in test colonies to develop their ovaries and lay eggs, implying that they are nutritionally castrated in control colonies.

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Objective: Medicinal plants are a source of great economic value all over the world and are on the front dusk of traditional medicine. Daturametel L, is one among the foresaid and this plant can be explored further as per its diversity of uses and on the basis of wide range of chemical compounds reported to be present in various parts of the plant. In the present investigation, Phyto-chemistry of D. metel has been analysed along with its antibacterial property. Methods:The selected plant leaves were collected and powdered. The bioactive compounds were extracted by using different solvents. Various phytochemical tests for alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, tannins, glycosides and amino acids were done accordingly with standard protocol of testing. The study also extends to view the anti-bacterial potential by determining inhibition of growth using agar well diffusion method.Results: Phytochemical analysis reflected the presence of compounds like alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, and amino acids. It was noted that steroids and tannins are absent. Antimicrobial activity proves extract of ethanolis the most promising against the pathogens from the rest screened. Conclusion:Thearticle addresses, the undocumented knowledge regarding the phytochemical profile of D. metel which demand further exploration widely to serve Humanity. Antimicrobial potential of ethanol extract are very promising to deliver it as a pharmaceutical.

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