Scientists have found the first known microbes that can eat only viruses
Algae-infecting viruses provide enough nutrients for Halteria ciliates to reproduce
![Three Halteria ciliates shown on a blue background](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/010523_eg_virovory_feat.jpg?fit=1030%2C580&ssl=1)
Halteria ciliates (three shown) each ate around 10,000 to 1 million viruses daily in laboratory experiments. In the wild, that number could skyrocket to up to around 1 quadrillion, scientists estimate.
Scenics & Science/Alamy Stock Photo