Consider the following : 1. Carabid beetles 2. Centipedes 3. Flies 4. Termites 5. Wasps Parasitoid species are found in how many of the above kind of organisms?
- AOnly two
- BOnly threeCorrect
- COnly four
- DAll five
Explanation
A parasitoid is an organism that lives in or on its host and eventually kills the host. This differs from a parasite, which typically does not kill its host.
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Carabid beetles: Many species of ground beetles (Carabidae) are predatory, but some genera (e.g., Brachinus) have larvae that are parasitoids of other insects. So, Yes.
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Centipedes: Centipedes are predators, feeding on insects and other small animals. They are not known to be parasitoids. So, No.
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Flies: Many families of flies (e.g., Tachinidae, Sarcophagidae, Phoridae) are well-known for their parasitoid habits, with larvae developing inside or on other insects. So, Yes.
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Termites: Termites are social insects that primarily feed on dead plant material (wood, soil, etc.). They are not parasitoids. So, No.
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Wasps: Wasps, particularly Ichneumonid and Braconid wasps, are classic examples of parasitoids. Their larvae develop inside or on the larvae/pupae of other insects, eventually killing them. So, Yes.
Therefore, parasitoid species are found among Carabid beetles, Flies, and Wasps. That is three organisms.

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