The Hidden Empire of Parasitoid Wasps

Parasitoid wasps are some of the most successful organisms on Earth, even if most of us never notice them.

In this episode, Dr. Michael Strand from the UGA Department of Entomology takes us inside the hidden world of parasitoid wasps. These insects lay their eggs in other insects and rely on domesticated viruses to suppress host immune systems and control development. We explore how these virus–wasp partnerships evolved over millions of years, why they have made parasitoid wasps incredibly diverse, and how their biology influences ecosystems and agricultural pest control.

From evolutionary arms races to real-world applications, this episode reveals a biological battle happening all around us, right under our noses.