Our group studies fundamental and applied aspects of sociality in ants, bees and wasps with a particular focus on honeybees. We are exploring the regulation of reproductive conflicts with ant and honeybee colonies. The main topic of our research is the analysis of pheromonal communication between colony members, using behavioural observation, analysis of the relatedness of the individuals involved, bioassays of their responses to pheromonal compounds and gas chromatographic analysis of chemical signals produced. We also study other aspects of social organization, such as the diet of workers that reproduce and the regulation of nest homeostasis. In particular, we are analyzing the regulation of humidity within honeybee hives.

From a more applied perspective, we are investigating the population genetics of wild honeybees in South Africa with a view to making recommendations about the conservation of local populations. Honeybees are major pollinators of both native flora and agriculturally important crops. The bees have recently been threatened by several parasites that are affecting the colonies of commercial beekeepers, and whose effect on the wild population is poorly understood. We are monitoring the population densities of honeybee colonies in undisturbed habitat to establish a benchmark against which we will be able to assess the effect of parasites on wild populations in the future.

Unique to South Africa, are the socially parasitic Cape honeybee workers that have invaded and destroyed colonies of their neighbouring subspecies and have resulted in significant disruption of the local beekeeping industry. The knowledge that we have gained from studying these parasitic workers has allowed us to help beekeepers with the methods that they should employ to avoid spreading these parasitic worker bees. Studying this example of social parasitism has allowed us to gain insights into the evolution of social parasites and into the regulation of worker reproduction in honeybee colonies.