(edit)
So any thoughts on the question, "Who kills whom", not already expressed? So far, what I think I have gathered from the useful part of this thread is (1) All queens can/will kill at times (2) Usually however it, is a virgin involved...
Question, SB.
Are you going somewhere else with the original question, or am I guilty
of reading more into this statement (below) then the above now brings into focus.
"I have never witnessed a queen killing a queen but have seen workers ball a queen. "
There is little doubt queens kill, that video I took apart clearly shows a queen
killing.... regardless of the erroneous assumption made by the BK
building the footage. However workers kill also.
I read your question as which, where, when, in respect of both workers and queen (s)
in any stable colony.
I have that wrong?
As you now address only queens, and as a nonspecific outcome in colony direction, I can
only agree with your conclusion as it has long been known it is rare for a laying queen, or
aged/inefficient queen to kill anything. The workers simply denying her that privilege.
A virgin queen on the other hand is a colony's future and so is maybe not so controlled.
To address the recommended reading from LJ... I thank LJ for the insight
and shall address the body of work in a new topic elsewhere.
Being close to completing a read I lean towards my original comment being justified. I trust
those who have read the work would contribute to that new topic.
Cheers.
Bill