hyperparasite

views updated Jun 08 2018

hyperparasite A parasite that lives in or on another parasite. The most common examples are insects that lay their eggs inside or near parasitoid larvae, which are themselves parasitizing the tissues of a host, again usually an insect larva. Hyperparasites, more strictly termed hyperparasitoids, are found mainly among the Hymenoptera (wasps, sawflies, etc.), although some flies and beetles also adopt this strategy.

hyperparasite

views updated May 17 2018

hyperparasite A parasitic insect that lives in or on a host that is itself parasitic on another species of insect. If the parasite kills the host as a consequence of its own development it is more commonly called a ‘parasitoid’.

hyperparasite

views updated May 23 2018

hyperparasite A parasite that exploits another parasite; a ‘superparasite’.

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