How Do Caterpillars Turn Into Wasps?
WouterWhether you’re interested in the biology of wasps or caterpillars, you may wonder if the same thing happens to them. After all, caterpillars are walking stomachs, and they’re supposed to eat as much as they can. They’re also supposed to store energy for the adult stage.
One way caterpillars do this is by creating their own silk covering. Some caterpillars even have venom glands. The venom can paralyze small predators. Some birds also eat dead caterpillars, though they are usually opportunistic feeders.
Another way caterpillars do it is by stealing genetic instructions from viruses. This is called a virulence. Virulence genes are not part of the replication genes, so they can’t reproduce in a new host. They can, however, be found in other creatures, including birds, frogs and snakes.
However, there is a lot more to the caterpillar’s evolution than just stealing genetic instructions from viruses. These genes are important because they may have saved the caterpillar’s life. It also could have aided in the synthesis of a new protein.
There are also viruses found in wasps. These viruses are called bracoviruses. They aren’t true viruses, but they do work well for wasps. They suppress the immune system of caterpillars, and they tweak their metabolism. They’re also useful to wasps, because they keep the grubs from eating them alive.
Another important tidbit is the use of a cocoon. Some wasps use cocoons to manipulate other insects. They’re also useful to wasps, as they can knock stinkbugs off branches and make stinkbugs retreat.
