Parasitic wasps use tamed virus to castrate caterpillars
Nature
February 14, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A groundbreaking discovery reveals how parasitic wasps have harnessed a "tamed" virus to manipulate their hosts, moth larvae, ensuring their survival and reproduction. Scientists have identified that these wasps carry a virus integrated into their genome, which they use to castrate caterpillars by targeting the larvae's testes cells, effectively preventing competition from male caterpillars while allowing female larvae to develop unhindered as hosts for their eggs.
The study focuses on the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), a major agricultural pest. The parasitic wasp species involved injects its eggs into moth larvae, with the virus playing a critical role in suppressing male development. This ensures that only female caterpillars survive to host the wasp's offspring, maintaining the wasps' reproductive success and control over their hosts.
The research highlights an extraordinary example of symbiosis between the wasp and the virus, which has evolved together over millions of years. The virus, now fully integrated into the wasp genome, acts as a precision tool to castrate caterpillars by selectively destroying testicular cells while sparing other tissues. This mechanism allows the wasps to maintain control over their hosts without harming the overall health of the larvae, ensuring a stable environment for their eggs to develop.
This finding not only deepens our understanding of parasitism and viral evolution but also has significant implications for pest control strategies. By leveraging natural predators like these wasps, which are already equipped with a sophisticated biological weapon, agricultural efforts could be enhanced in an eco-friendly manner. This discovery underscores the potential for nature-inspired solutions
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Originally published on Nature on 2/14/2026