Genetically Modified Butterflies

In a recent study, scientists have found that parasitic wasps, also called braconid wasps, can genetically modify monarch butterflies with viruses, called bracoviruses, that get into their DNA. Other organisms that these wasps can genetically modify include silkworms, several other butterfly species, and moths. This virus is transmitted into the host when the wasps lay their eggs inside them. The virus is intended to help the wasp larvae survive within the host. Most times the virus kills the host, but other times, a caterpillar may survive this parasite by killing the eggs or the larvae after it has been exposed to the virus. This will allow the caterpillar to grow into an adult butterfly or moth and eventually pass on its genes, including the modified genes acquired from the parasitic wasp.

 

 It is believed that butterflies and moths keep these wasp genes because they protect against other viruses. There are several thousands of braconid wasps in the world, and they live as parasites to a wide variety of butterfly and moth species all around the world. This implies that naturally genetically modified insects are a common thing in the world. Knowing that insects can be genetically modified naturally, we can assume that if humans genetically modify an insect, the modified genes can be spread to other species.

Since genetically modified organisms were once thought of only as human creations, this new discovery has opened up a door to more unanswered questions. Reading on this discovery makes me think about how much we learn about ourselves and our planet every day. We've just learned that insects can affect other species at the gene level; what other amazing discoveries can we make about genetics and interactions between species? What else do we not know about the nature of this world?