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.

Wasps use genes stolen from ancient viruses to make biological weapons

Parasitoid wasps

Parasitic wasp turns caterpillars into head-banging bodyguards

Insects, Free Full-Text

Diversity among parasitic wasps is even greater than suspected

Caterpillars Get Infection-Fighting Genes From Parasitic Wasps

Diversity among parasitic wasps is even greater than suspected

parasitoids

Frontiers The Parasitic Wasp, Cotesia congregata (Say), Consists

Naturally occurring 'GM' butterflies produced by gene transfer of

Parasite's Genes Persist in Host Genomes

Wasps Have Genetically Modified Butterflies, Using Viruses