"Unintentional Discovery: Japanese Scientists Find Male-Specific Virus in Insects"

Japanese scientists accidentally discovered a virus, named Spodoptera litura male-killing virus (SLMKV), that specifically targets male insects. The virus was found in a green caterpillar and was observed to produce only female moths in subsequent generations. Genetic analysis confirmed the presence of a virus, and attempts to eliminate its male-killing effect with antibiotics were unsuccessful. This discovery could potentially aid in controlling populations of disease vectors like mosquitoes and agricultural pests. The researchers hope to further investigate the virus and explore the possibility of finding a "female killer" to control disease-carrying insect populations.