What is the typical fate of the host queen during a successful Bombus vestalis invasion?
Answer
The host queen is killed by the parasite
The usurpation process is an absolute, high-stakes battle for control of the reproductive center of the nest. For the Bombus vestalis to assume control, she must eliminate the competition entirely. Upon successfully penetrating the nest and surviving the initial defense, the parasite queen attacks and kills the resident host queen. Once the original queen is removed, the parasite takes over as the sole reproductive individual in the colony, utilizing the existing workers to rear her own brood.
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