A parasite called microsporidia lies dormant in the circulatory systems of harlequin ladybirds.

这种叫做“微孢子虫”的寄生虫潜藏在小丑瓢虫的循环系统内。

But when scientists injected microsporidia into a common European ladybug species, the insects died within two weeks.

然而，当科家向普通的欧洲瓢虫体内植入微孢子虫时，不出两个星期它们就死亡了。

When the ladybugs were injected with dead microsporidia or a control substance most survived.

当植入死的微孢子虫或者对照物质时，大多数都存活了。

When European ladybug species eat the harlequin ladybird eggs and larvae, they also consume the microsporidia. And die.

当欧洲的瓢虫吃小丑瓢虫的卵和幼虫的同时，也吃掉了微孢子虫。然后它们就会死。