Symbiosis: A novel relationship cradled in venom

Maxine N J Angeley; Steve J Perlman

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2025.03.016

Symbiosis: A novel relationship cradled in venom

Curr Biol. 2025 Apr 21;35(8):R293-R295. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.03.016.

Authors

Maxine N J Angeley¹, Steve J Perlman²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; Centre for Forest Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada.
² Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; Centre for Forest Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada. Electronic address: stevep@uvic.ca.

PMID: 40262536
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.03.016

Abstract

Spalangia wasps have evolved a new association with Sodalis bacteria, transmitting them in an unusual way. They inject them into a host, along with their venom and an egg; the wasp larva then ingests them while feeding on host tissue.

MeSH terms

Animals
Enterobacteriaceae* / physiology
Larva / growth & development
Larva / microbiology
Larva / physiology
Symbiosis*
Wasp Venoms* / metabolism
Wasps* / growth & development
Wasps* / microbiology
Wasps* / physiology

Substances

Wasp Venoms