Insect Parasitoids

Parasitic insects include approximately 15% of all insects. They live either externally or internally on the body of their host (usually another insect) and slowly consume the host or host fluids. In the majority of cases the parasitic insects eventually kill the host and they do so in horrifying ways. While parasitic insects may have gruesome lifestyles, they are also important insects in biological control of agricultural pests. Parasitic insects and their life histories have been the inspiration for numerous science fiction films (such as Alien) and you will understand why when you learn about their biology.

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