Abstract
This chapter reveals that many parasites dramatically alter the behavior of their host, and this is particularly true of parasites developing in insect and other arthropod hosts. In the special case of parasites with complex life cycles that involve intermediate hosts, the behavior of the intermediate host is modified to enhance the probability of transmission of the parasite to its final definitive host. Such alterations in host behavior include a change in substrate, humidity, or thermal preferences, levels of locomotor activity, circadian rhythms, geo or phototropisms, or other behaviors that facilitate consumption of the intermediate host by the definitive vertebrate host. In some cases, however, alterations in intermediate host behavior are not correlated with increased predation of the host. Feeding and reproduction are frequently affected by the presence of parasites in insect hosts, in both phytophagous larval stage insects and hematophagous adult stage vectors.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call