There are many different types of parasitism. The three most commonly known ones are:
Brood Parasitism: An example of Brood Parasitism is that of the common Cuckoo bird. These birds, rather than building their own nests, lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. These birds then believe that they are the mother of that bird, so they begin feeding it. The common Cuckoo bird young would not be able to survive without these other birds, and are feeding off their resources.
Endoparasitism: Endoparasitism is when the parasite lives inside the host's body. An example of Endoparasitism is a caterpillar and parasitic wasp eggs. The parasitic wasp lays its eggs inside the caterpillar. When the eggs hatch, they begin to eat the caterpillar from the inside, avoiding vital organs. Eventually the larvae will eat itself out of the wasp. But it does not end there. The parasite has taken over the caterpillars brain as well. The caterpillar will wrap a cocoon around the wasps, keeping them safe. It will not stop fending predators off until it dies of exhaustion and starvation.
Ectoparasitism: Ectoparasitism is when the parasite lives on the hosts body. The most common example of this is the head lice on humans or fleas on dogs. The lice/fleas will suck the blood off the surface, living off the host. The lice/fleas feed off the host, taking their blood away.
Brood Parasitism: An example of Brood Parasitism is that of the common Cuckoo bird. These birds, rather than building their own nests, lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. These birds then believe that they are the mother of that bird, so they begin feeding it. The common Cuckoo bird young would not be able to survive without these other birds, and are feeding off their resources.
Endoparasitism: Endoparasitism is when the parasite lives inside the host's body. An example of Endoparasitism is a caterpillar and parasitic wasp eggs. The parasitic wasp lays its eggs inside the caterpillar. When the eggs hatch, they begin to eat the caterpillar from the inside, avoiding vital organs. Eventually the larvae will eat itself out of the wasp. But it does not end there. The parasite has taken over the caterpillars brain as well. The caterpillar will wrap a cocoon around the wasps, keeping them safe. It will not stop fending predators off until it dies of exhaustion and starvation.
Ectoparasitism: Ectoparasitism is when the parasite lives on the hosts body. The most common example of this is the head lice on humans or fleas on dogs. The lice/fleas will suck the blood off the surface, living off the host. The lice/fleas feed off the host, taking their blood away.