Orgyia leucostigmahaemocytes were able to encapsulate and destroy eggs ofHyposoterspecies, thereby preventing successful parasitism. When host larvae had previously been parasitized byCotesia melanoscela, however, this response was not observed, and 3 differentHyposoterspecies could be reared to maturity in the normally non-permissive host. Appropriate injection experiments established thatC. melanoscelavirus and venom were both required in order for successful parasitism byHyposoterto occur. Covalent cross-linking ofC. melanoscelaviral DNA led to an immune response againstHyposoterlarvae, but not eggs, suggesting that an active viral genome may be required for complete development ofHyposoterspecies in tussock moth larvae.