cleptoparasites

Definition

Organisms that steal food resources, nest provisions, or prey captured by other species, rather than gathering or hunting for themselves. In entomology, cleptoparasites typically exploit the foraging efforts of hosts by invading nests, usurping cells, or intercepting food deliveries, often without killing the host. The strategy is especially common among bees and wasps, where cleptoparasitic species are frequently called 'cuckoo bees' or 'cuckoo wasps.'

Etymology

From Greek kleptēs (thief) + parasitos (one who eats at another's table)

Example

Many Nomada bees are cleptoparasites of Andrena mining bees: the female Nomada enters an unguarded Andrena burrow and lays her egg in a provisioned cell; the Nomada larva then consumes the pollen loaf intended for the host's offspring.

Synonyms

• kleptoparasites

Related Terms

• kleptoparasitism
• Inquilines
• social parasites
• brood parasites
• parasitoids
• commensalism
• host-parasite interactions

Usage Notes

The spelling variant 'kleptoparasite' (with 'k') is equally accepted in scientific literature. Cleptoparasites differ from parasitoids in that they do not usually kill the host individual directly, and from social parasites in that they typically exploit food stores rather than manipulating host social behavior or workforce. The term is most commonly applied to insects but also describes arachnids, birds, and other taxa that steal prey or provisions.