Parasitoid wasps sometimes lay eggs in unsuitable host insects, a behavior that has traditionally been considered accidental.

Parasitoid wasps sometimes lay eggs in unsuitable host insects, a behavior that has traditionally been considered accidental. However, researchers at the University of Tsukuba have discovered that ...

Science writer Mindy Weisberger speaks to Live Science about the parasites that turn their hosts — whether ant, beetle or caterpillar — into zombie-like puppets that act against their own interests.

The queen lays eggs into the hollow spaces - the cells - she creates. The eggs hatch and grow to become her first worker wasps. When they reach adulthood, the new workers take over the responsibility ...

Parasitoid wasps can exploit unsuitable hosts by laying eggs in them when another wasp species has already suppressed the host's immune system, enabling successful development of their offspring.