Ectoparasite (Noun)
Meaning
Any external parasitic organism (as fleas).
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The tick is an ectoparasite that feeds on the blood of mammals and birds.
- Fleas are ectoparasites that infest the coats of dogs and cats.
- The lice that infest human hair are ectoparasites that feed on skin debris and oils.
- Mites are ectoparasites that can cause intense itching and discomfort in humans.
- The botfly is an ectoparasite that lays its eggs under the skin of mammals, where the larvae feed on tissue fluids.