Physiological mechanisms, ecological interactions as well as evolutionary processes underlie animal behavior. By combining research on neuroethology, behavioral ecology, evolutionary molecular genetics and sociophysiology, we analyse and link proximate and ultimate causes of behavior in social insects. Ants and bees provide excellent model systems for this integrative approach. Ultimately we seek to understand the mechanisms underlying behavioral adaptations as well as the consequences of behavioral strategies - from the level of genes, molecules and neurons up to the level of individuals and their complex interactions among each other and with the environment. Several of these research programs are only possible by interdisciplinary collaborations which are supported by two cooperative research centers (Sonderforschungsbereiche 554 and 567).