1. a parasite that lives on the outside of its host’s body
Usage: biology

Examples

• Fleas are common ectoparasites that feed on the blood of mammals.
• The veterinarian found several ectoparasites on the dog’s fur during the examination.
• Ticks are dangerous ectoparasites that can transmit diseases to humans.
• Lice are ectoparasites that attach to hair and feed on skin cells.
• The researcher studied how ectoparasites affect the behavior of their bird hosts.
• Unlike internal parasites, ectoparasites can often be seen with the naked eye.