noun
- organisms that live in or on a host organism during their larval stage, eventually killing the host
Usage: biology; entomology
Examples
- Many wasps are parasitoids that lay their eggs inside caterpillars.
- Parasitoids differ from true parasites because they ultimately kill their hosts.
- Scientists study parasitoids as potential biological control agents for crop pests.
- The parasitoid wasp emerged from the aphid after completing its development.
- Farmers release parasitoids to control harmful insects without using pesticides.
- Unlike parasites, parasitoids have a free-living adult stage after killing their host.