Protelean organisms are widely regarded as a special class of parasites, often referred to as parasitoids. Protelean parasites refer to insects that begin the juvenile phase of their lives as parasites and ultimately destroy or consume their host to emerge as free-living adults.[1] Defining attributes of Protelean parasitoids include a parasitic nature that is confined to the larval stage, destruction of a single host, and an independent mature stage. Other distinguishing characteristics include a body size similar to its host and a comparatively simple life style.[2] Parasitoids and their hosts are typically in the same taxonomic class.[3]
- ^ Capinera, J.L., ed. (2008), Encyclopedia of Entomology, Springer, Dordrecht, pp. 3054–3055, doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-6359-6_3173, ISBN 978-1-4020-6242-1
- ^ "Parasitoids, Predators, Pathogens". www.faculty.ucr.edu. Retrieved 2018-12-07.
- ^ "Parasite, Protelean Parasite and Parasitoid". www.agriinfo.in. Retrieved 2018-12-07.