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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Parasite and Parasitoid?

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The main difference between parasites and parasitoids lies in their relationship with their hosts and the outcome of that relationship. Here are the key differences:

  • Parasites:
  • Live in or on another species (the host) and benefit by deriving nutrients from the host.
  • Generally do not kill the host, but may harm the host indirectly by spreading pathogens.
  • Often smaller than their host.
  • May live on the host (e.g., lice), in the host (e.g., tapeworms), or feed on a host occasionally (e.g., mosquitoes).
  • Parasitoids:
  • Small insects whose immature stages develop either within or attached to the outside of other insects (the hosts).
  • Eventually kill the host they feed on.
  • Have two general categories: endoparasitoids (hatch within the host and feed inside the host) and ectoparasitoids (fastened to the outside of the host and feed through the host skin, sucking out body fluids).
  • Most parasitoids are either wasps and bees (Hymenoptera) or flies (Diptera), although some beetles, twisted wing insects, moths, and other insects have been identified as parasitoids.

In summary, parasites typically feed on hosts without killing them, while parasitoids eventually kill the hosts they feed on.

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  • What is the Difference Between Parasite and Parasitoid?
  • Comparative Table: Parasite vs Parasitoid

    • Comparative Table: Parasite vs Parasitoid

    Here is a table highlighting the differences between parasites and parasitoids:

    Characteristic Parasite Parasitoid
    Definition An organism that lives in or on a host and causes harm but does not necessarily kill the host. An organism that lives in or on a host and always kills the host.
    Host organisms Can infect various organisms, including insects, worms, flies, birds, mammals, and plants. Can only infect arthropods.
    Kills host The death of a host may be contributed to by a parasite, but this is unusual. The death of a parasitoid's host is always the result of the parasitoid's direct actions.
    Live inside the body of the host Endoparasites are parasites that develop within their hosts. A subset of parasitoids, called idioparasites, also live inside their hosts.
    Examples Hookworm, tapeworm, body lice, ticks, and fleas. Hymoptera, Diptera, and Coleoptera (orders of insects).

    Parasites are organisms that feed off of and live within a host, but do not necessarily kill it. Parasitoids, on the other hand, are organisms that not only live on or inside a host but also invariably destroy it. While both parasites and parasitoids can have a significant impact on their hosts, they differ in their host organisms and the extent of harm they cause.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.