From biology to biotechnology: Host‐regulation factors from parasitoid wasps are a source of bioactive molecules with translational potential

Abstract

Parasitoidism is a trophic strategy that has evolved repeatedly in insects, but it has reached its greatest diversification and mechanistic sophistication in Hymenoptera. The ecological success of parasitoid wasps is strongly linked to their capacity to regulate host physiology through a temporally coordinated and compartmentalised arsenal of maternal and embryonic factors. Maternal components, including venom, calyx fluid and polydnaviruses, are delivered during oviposition, whereas embryonic factors, such as teratocytes and larval secretions, act throughout larval development within the host. Together, this diverse toolkit of molecular effectors manipulates host immunity, endocrine signalling, metabolism, development and behaviour, thereby ensuring survival of parasitoid larvae. This review first examines parasitoidism as an evolutionary and ecological strategy, highlighting diverse strategies of host exploitation. We then examine the principal molecular tools involved in host regulation and their mechanistic roles in host‐parasitoid interactions. Finally, we critically evaluate the biotechnological potential of these molecules, with an emphasis on proteins and peptides that may serve as templates for peptide engineering, recombinant technologies and bioinspired molecular development, especially for insecticides and antimicrobials.