Parasitic Wasps Got Their Poison From an Ancient Virus

In a classic tale of symbiosis, researchers have determined that a parasitic wasp got its most potent weapon from an ancient virus that may have attacked it around 100 million years ago. When a parasitic wasp wants to lay its eggs in a caterpillar, it takes steps to ensure that everything goes according to plan: Along with the eggs, it injects a powerful dose of virus-like particles.