The Probert Encyclopaedia of Nature

PARASITE

A parasite is an organism that lives in or on another organism - known as the host. The host derives no benefit from the parasite, and is often manipulated and harmed by the parasite. Many parasites use intermediary hosts as stages on their journey to animals further up the food chain, and in doing so will manipulate he behaviour of the host. For example, the malaria parasite utilises mosquitos in its journey to large mammals. Before it is ready to pass to the mammal, the parasite suppresses the feeding instinct of the host mosquito, thereby reducing the chances of it being killed. However, once mature and ready to move on the parasite encourages the mosquito to feed more voraciously, inmproving the likelihood that the malaria parasite will be passed on. Some parasites cause their hosts to commit suicide by being eaten, or behave in a manner which makes them much more vulnerable to predators, so that the parasite can move up the food chain to a higher host.
Research Parasite