News Animals

Viruses can kill wasp larvae that grow inside infected caterpillars

A new study is a take on the adage, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

picture of a green caterpillar-like creature walking across a leaf

A group of proteins found in some insect viruses as well as some insects (such as this beet armyworm) can kill the larvae of parasitic wasps, protecting the caterpillars that those wasps exploit to lay eggs.

John Capinera, University of Florida/Bugwood.org (CC BY-NC 3.0 US)

By Erin Garcia de Jesús

- More than 2 years ago

When parasitic wasps come calling, some caterpillars have a surprising ally: a viral infection.