Parasitic Wasps Can Genetically Modify Their Caterpillar Hosts

When these parasitoid wasps lay their eggs in caterpillar hosts, they also leave behind a cache of viral DNA that creeps into the caterpillar’s genes and changes their physiology.

What is a virus? Research suggests a broader

Cotesia congregata - a parasitoid wasp

Cryptic biodiversity of tropical hesperiid caterpillar-attacking

News and Events - Department of Entomology

Parasitic wasps are genetically modifying butterflies: Insects

Butterflies 'steal' genes of parasitic wasps to help them survive

Chromosomal scale assembly of parasitic wasp genome reveals

Butterflies steal DNA of zombie wasps in natural genetic modification

News and Events - Department of Entomology

A caterpillar full of parasitic wasp larvae : r/natureismetal

Just found out wasps lay eggs in their caterpillar victims