| R \ D | Escalate | Submit | Contain | |-------|----------|--------|---------| | | (E_c, E_c) | (V, 0) | (V - C_c, -P) | | Submit | (0, V) | (V/2, V/2) | (0, V) | | Contain | (-P, V - C_c) | (V, 0) | (V/2 - M, V/2 - M) |

3.2 Parasitoid Wasps (Ampulex compressa) The jewel wasp actively contains its cockroach prey via stings to the brain, creating a living, compliant prison. The wasp does not escalate to kill; it contains to preserve fresh tissue. The payoff for Contain exceeds Escalate because dead tissue decays.

The Insect Prison Game expands traditional dyadic game theory by formalizing containment as a distinct, often optimal, strategy. Future empirical work should test the model’s predictions in ant raiding behavior and wasp-host interactions. Understanding the insect prison may also shed light on the evolutionary origins of animal and human carceral systems—where the living opponent is more valuable contained than dead.

Prison Game — Insect

| R \ D | Escalate | Submit | Contain | |-------|----------|--------|---------| | | (E_c, E_c) | (V, 0) | (V - C_c, -P) | | Submit | (0, V) | (V/2, V/2) | (0, V) | | Contain | (-P, V - C_c) | (V, 0) | (V/2 - M, V/2 - M) |

3.2 Parasitoid Wasps (Ampulex compressa) The jewel wasp actively contains its cockroach prey via stings to the brain, creating a living, compliant prison. The wasp does not escalate to kill; it contains to preserve fresh tissue. The payoff for Contain exceeds Escalate because dead tissue decays.

The Insect Prison Game expands traditional dyadic game theory by formalizing containment as a distinct, often optimal, strategy. Future empirical work should test the model’s predictions in ant raiding behavior and wasp-host interactions. Understanding the insect prison may also shed light on the evolutionary origins of animal and human carceral systems—where the living opponent is more valuable contained than dead.