parasitoid
noun
par·a·sit·oid
ˈper-ə-sə-ˌtȯid 
-ˌsī-,
ˈpa-rə-
: an insect and especially a wasp that completes its larval development within the body of another insect eventually killing it and is free-living as an adult
parasitoid
adjective
Examples of parasitoid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This sentence was edited after posting to correct the description of researchers evaluating parasitoids.
—
Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2024
Tomato Companion Plants To Attract Beneficial Insects Planting flowers to attract pollinators and other beneficial insects is a great way to diversify the garden and enhance natural pest control by predators and parasitoids.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 June 2024
Cilantro flowers are very small, perfect for attracting parasitoids and predators that feed on garden pests like Colorado potato beetle and tomato fruitworms.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 June 2024
The system is further complicated by other players, including ladybug beetles, white halo fungus and a parasitoid fly that limits ant numbers.
—Lesley Evans Ogden, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for parasitoid 
Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2024
Tomato Companion Plants To Attract Beneficial Insects Planting flowers to attract pollinators and other beneficial insects is a great way to diversify the garden and enhance natural pest control by predators and parasitoids.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 June 2024
Cilantro flowers are very small, perfect for attracting parasitoids and predators that feed on garden pests like Colorado potato beetle and tomato fruitworms.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 June 2024
The system is further complicated by other players, including ladybug beetles, white halo fungus and a parasitoid fly that limits ant numbers.
—Lesley Evans Ogden, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for parasitoid
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'parasitoid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near parasitoid
Cite this Entry
“Parasitoid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parasitoid. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
parasitoid
1 of 2 adjective
par·a·sit·oid
ˈpar-ə-sə-ˌtȯid
-ˌsīt-ˌȯid
-ˌsīt-ˌȯid
1
: resembling a parasite
2
: being a parasitoid
parasitoid
2 of 2 noun
: an insect and especially a wasp that completes its larval development within the body of another insect which it eventually kills and that is free-living as an adult
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