Protelean parasite

Pronunciation
/PROH-tee-lee-an PAR-as-ite/
Category
Parasitology
Singular
Protelean parasite
Plural
Protelean parasites

Definition

A type of parasite that is parasitic only in the larval or juvenile stage, typically killing its host, with the adults being free-living.

Etymology

From the Greek 'proteo-', meaning 'first' or 'primary', and 'parasitos', meaning 'beside'.

Example

An example of a protelean parasite is a parasitoid wasp, which lays its eggs inside a host insect.

Related Terms