Genes & Cells

Virus gene makes caterpillars climb
Scientists have discovered a gene that baculoviruses use to hijack gypsy moth caterpillars’ brains. When infected with the virus, caterpillars climb to the tops of trees they live on, die, liquefy and rain down viruses on other gypsy moths. Now researchers at Pennsylvania State University in University Park and colleagues have discovered that a baculovirus gene called egt makes the caterpillars climb.