Parasitic Insects: Species, Behaviors, and Their Impact on Hosts and Ecosystems

Scientific illustration collage of parasitic insects: flea on a mammal, louse on a bird, botfly larva in tissue, parasitoid wasp ovipositing in a caterpillar, and a strepsipteran in a bee.

Parasitic insects encompass a diverse group of species that exploit other animals for food, reproduction or shelter. This article summarizes major types, survival strategies, host effects and ecological roles, offering practical insights for students, researchers and veterinarians. Learn how parasitic insects shape ecosystems and what current research says about their management.