**WASP VIRUS WEAPONS**: How Parasitic Wasps Evolved to Turn Deadly Viruses Into Biological Weapons
Athens, Georgia – Entomologists at the University of Georgia have made a fascinating discovery involving a parasitic wasp called Microplitis demolitor. Researchers found that when the wasp’s ovary is punctured, viruses are released that resemble iridescent blue toothpaste. These viruses are not harmful but actually play a vital role in the wasp’s lifecycle by being injected into caterpillars alongside the wasp’s eggs, ultimately turning the caterpillar into a nursery for the wasp’s young. Known as …