Holocyclic life cycle
- Pronunciation
- /hoh-loh-sik-lik LIFE sy-kul/
- Category
- Life Cycle
- Singular
- Holocyclic life cycle
- Plural
- Holocyclic life cycles
Definition
A life cycle in which an organism alternates between sexual and asexual reproductive phases. During one part of the year, it produces live nymphs via parthenogenesis without mating, and during another part, it produces males and females that mate and lay overwintering eggs.
Etymology
Example
The holocyclic life cycle of the pea aphid allows for rapid population growth during periods of abundant resources, followed by sexual reproduction when environmental conditions become unfavorable.