Baculovirus-like particles in the reproductive tracts of female parasitoid wasps

Abstract
Virus-like particles were found in specific regions of the reproductive tracts of 3 different braconid wasps [Cardiochiles nigriceps, Microplitis croceipes, Chelonus texanus] all parasitoids of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens. The particles are nuclear in origin, and Feulgen cytochemistry of particulate fluid in the calyx and oviducts of 1 sp. [C. nigriceps] revealed the presence of DNA. Structural homologies suggest that the parasitoid particles are related to baculoviruses.