Parasitoidism

Definition

A relationship between an insect larva and a host organism where the larva consumes host tissues, ultimately killing the host.

Etymology

From Greek 'parasitos', meaning 'beside' or 'alongside', and '-oid', meaning 'resembling'.

Example

The parasitoid wasp, _Cotesia congregata_, lays its eggs on a caterpillar host. The larvae of the wasp feed on the caterpillar's body until it dies.

Related Terms

• Parasitoid
• Host

Usage Notes

Parasitoidism is a form of parasitism where the parasite consumes the host, unlike true parasitism where the parasite lives on or in the host without necessarily killing it.