The parasites produced queen-like  pheromones falsely signally the presence of a queen suppressing the reproduction of worker's native to the colony and policing or destroying these eggs. Alternative slicing of a gene homologous to the gemini transcription factor of Drosophila controls worker sterility. Knocking out an exon resulted in rapid worker ovary activation.
The parasites generated queen-like pheromones that mislead workers into believing the presence of a queen, leading them to suppress reproduction and either destroy or police eggs. Altering a gene similar to Drosophila's gemini transcription factor affects worker sterility. Removing an exon triggers rapid activation of worker ovaries.