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Abstract: Teratocytes originating from the serosal membrane of an endoparasitic wasp embryo, which is one of the species found in the Hymenopteran families Braconidae, Platygasteridae and Socelionidae, act an important role in coordinating the relationship between the larval wasp and its host. It may be concluded that inhibiting the immune system of the host, regulating development of the host and nourishing the parasitoid larva are three major functions of the teratocytes. By means of releasing inhibitor of phenol oxidase, a fundamental ingredient of the immune system of the host, the teratocytes prevent the host from encapsulation, which is fatal to the parasitoid larva. In the process of parasitism, the teratocytes reduce ecdysteroid titer and inhibit the metabolism of JH in the hemoymph of the host, and subsequently result in the developmental arrest of the host larva. On the other hand, the teratocytes secrete proteins or present themselves as food to the parasitoid. Although all those above are generally acknowledged functions of the teratocytes, there are other putative functions of the teratocytes, such as secreting histolytic enzymes and mycostatic material, and protecting the host from overharmed by the parasitoid before the parasitoid emerges from its host. The studies in this area can provide us more understanding and knowledge about the relationship between a parasitoid and its host.

Key words: teratocyte, parasitoid, immunosuppression