"A parasitic wasp castrates its moth larvae hosts by injecting them with a 'domesticated' virus that causes cells in the larvae's testes to die."
"Now, scientists know exactly how the virus does its dirty work."
A parasitic wasp delivers a domesticated virus into moth larvae that induces death of cells in the larvae's testes, causing castration. Researchers have identified the precise mechanism by which the virus triggers testicular cell death. The virus is integrated into the wasp's biology and functions to manipulate host physiology in ways that favor wasp offspring development. Host castration prevents the moth larvae from reproducing and reallocates host resources toward the developing parasitoid. Insights into this mechanism illuminate how viral domestication can drive targeted host manipulation and reproductive parasitism.
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