1. an organism that lives in or on a host organism and eventually kills it, typically an insect larva that develops inside another insect
Usage: biology

1. relating to or characteristic of a parasitoid
Usage: biology

Examples

• The wasp is a parasitoid that lays its eggs inside caterpillars.
• Parasitoid insects are important for biological pest control.
• The parasitoid larva consumed its host from the inside.
• Scientists study parasitoid behavior to develop natural farming methods.
• Unlike true parasites, parasitoids always kill their hosts.
• The parasitoid wasp helps control aphid populations in gardens.