not in Young In interactions between larval parasitoids and their insect hosts, few reports have focused on the function of the venom in the acquisition of nutrients necessary for parasitoid growth and development. We present here an overview of the role of venom in nutrient acquisition and the nutritional strategies (echo- and endoparasitism) used by koinobiont parasitoids. Ectoparasitoid venoms function by decomposing the host fat body, particularly through the use of several enzymes that are present in the venom, which liberate nutrients into the host hemolymph. Most koinobiont ectoparasitoids cause the production of high concentrations of trehalose, lipids and proteins in the host hemolymph. In the Euplectrus separatae-Pseudaletia separata association, venom triggers cell lysis of the host fat body by digesting cytoskeleton components such as actin and tubulin. The result of this venom action is that parasitoid progeny can feed on host hemolymph with only minimal damage to the hos! t. Endoparasitoids as well as ectoparasitoids exploit the fat body to obtain nutrients. By contrast to ectoparasitoids, most venoms of braconid endoparasitoids are non-paralytic and regulate the host physiological milieu synergistically with polydnaviruses (PDV). In the Cotesia separata association, fat body altered by both PDV and venom produces high levels of trehalose and lipid, which accumulate in the host hemolymph. Fat body in the parasitized hosts is also disrupted locally by teratocytes, which release their contents into the hemolymph. Apparently, the acquisition of nutrients by endoparasitoid larvae from hemolymph regulated by PDV/venom occurs during early stages. Evidence also shows that since the nutrient demands of the parasitoid larvae increase toward later developmental phases, the larvae need to consume the host fat body so as to compensate for the nutrient deficiency in the host hemolymph. BR Biochemistry. Parasites diseases and disorders. Cotesia separata not in Taxapad none2007