Definitions

1. noun

An insect or other animal that lays its eggs inside or on the body of another animal, on which the larvae then feed and eventually kill the host.

“The parasitoid wasp is a natural predator of the caterpillar, helping to regulate the ecosystem.”

2. adjective

Relating to or characteristic of an organism that lives on or in another organism and eventually kills it.

“The parasitoid lifestyle is a crucial aspect of many insects’ life cycles.”