Parasites That Intentionally Hijack Each Other

Some wasps use viruses to trick their own kind into attacking a host that is already infected. By manipulating the behavior of fellow parasites, they force a crowded competition for limited resources.

While most parasites try to avoid victims already taken by others, some species flip this instinct on its head. These clever parasitoids deliver viral payloads into a host that actually change the behavior of later visitors. It is an evolutionary arms race happening inside a single insect body. Scientists find these complex interactions fascinating because they show how viruses can act as puppet masters in the wild.