Do parasites usually kill their host?

Answer 1

Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. It all depends on the purpose of the parasite. For example, if a parasite needs a home and a sustainable supply of nourishment, it would be advantageous not to kill their host. An example would be a tick; it is, more or less, happy living its life on a dog's back, sucking blood whenever it needs to. If the dog dies, it would have to find a new host, which would be difficult for it. On the other hand, sometimes the host must die in order to serve its purpose for the parasite; there are a handful of species of wasps for example, who lay their eggs in the bodies of other organisms like spiders and caterpillars. At some point in theprocess of their larvaes' development, the host must die, like when they must emerge from the host.

Answer 2

Parasites don't usually kill their hosts, but sometimes it does. Parasites such as a mistletoe and head louse does not kill the host. But some parasites do. One kind of wasp injects its eggs into a caterpillar. When the egg hatches, the wasp larvae eats the caterpillar from the inside. When the caterpillar dies, usually the wasp has grown large enough to go away and live on its own. Also, a fig species known as the strangler fig live as a parasite before it can live independently. First, it grows on a tree as its host. Then the fig slowly grows, overwhelming the host and sucking water and carbohydrate from the host tree. When the host dies, the strangler fig takes over the host's leftovers, and live as a single individual.

Answer 3

Depending on what types of parasites you're referring to,then there have been recording of deaths within certain animals and humans alike in which they start out with different types of symptoms,before they die.But usually there are also certain parasites that can be killed off inside of their hosts if treated by a professional doctor and the staff that deals with these types of parasites.But if you see if someone or something may be infected by parasitic worms,flys,or even certain types of fish,then seek professional help immediatally.

Answer 4

Parasites in plants or in animals NEVER kills the host. But to the animal it is a nuisanse.

Answer 5

In the end yes ,that is why they are called parasites.

If it is symbiosis its not called a parasite

Answer 6

Not always. Look up the word 'symbiosis' for a deeper understanding.

Doug