Parasitic Wasps Genetically Enslave Butterflies
Tens of thousands of parasitic wasp species, called braconids, lay their eggs inside the caterpillars of virtually all lepidopterans, the insect order that includes moths and butterflies. It’s the textbook example of a host-parasite relationship. And it’s a partnership that runs far deeper than we imagined, according to a study published today in PLOS Genetics.
Analysing the genomes of several species of moths and butterflies, including the iconic Monarch and the Fall Armyworm, a team of researchers uncovered snippets of wasp DNA mixed in with lepidopteran genes. The two insect orders, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera, diverged 300 million years ago. How could this be?
When parasitic wasps lay their eggs inside caterpillars, they inject a giant virus called bracovirus. Bracovirus will integrate its DNA into the caterpillar’s genome, helping to suppress the host’s immune response. Wasp grubs then proceed to devour the caterpillar alive — most of the time. Sometimes, the caterpillars will fight off infection and develop into moths or butterflies, carrying with them bracovirus DNA.
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Parasitic wasps or parasitoids are the insects that probably have the most number of different species on Earth than any other animal has. https://www.stillunfold.com/animal/mind ... sitic-wasp