par·a·sit·oid (p r  -s -toid , -s toid)n. Any of various insects, such as the ichneumon fly, whose larvae are parasites that eventually kill their hosts. adj. Of or relating to a parasitic insect of this kind. |
parasitoid [ˈpærəsɪˌtɔːd]
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) Zoology an animal, esp an insect, that is parasitic during the larval stage of its life cycle but becomes free-living when adult
| parasitoid (pr-s-toid, -stoid) Any of various insects, such as the ichneumon fly, whose larvae are parasites that eventually kill their hosts. The adult parasitoid deposits an egg on or inside the body of its host, typically the larva of another arthropod. When the egg hatches, the parasitoid larva feeds on the host's tissues, gradually killing it. |
Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.
| ?Page tools | ||
|---|---|---|
|