hyperparasite

[hahy-per-par-uh-sahyt]

noun

Biology.

1. an organism that is parasitic on or in another parasite.

hyperparasite

/ ˌhaɪpəˈpærəˌsaɪt /

noun

1. an organism that is parasitic on another parasite

Other Word Forms

• hyperparasitic adjective
• hyperparasitism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hyperparasite¹

First recorded in 1825–35; hyper- + parasite

Example Sentences

A hyperparasite is a parasite that is itself parasitized by another insect.

Read more on National Geographic

By covering the original fungus and its stalk, this secondary fungus—or hyperparasite—effectively prevents the zombie-ant fungus from ejecting its spores.

Read more on Scientific American

This makes the hyperparasite another obligate parasite, which depends on the zombie-ant fungus, which depends, in turn, on the carpenter ant colony.

Read more on Scientific American

Hyperparasite: is a form that is parasitic upon another parasite.

Read more on Project Gutenberg