Hyperparasites

Hyperparasites are organisms that parasitize other parasites. This means they are at least the third trophic level in a parasitic food chain. A hyperparasite could be a virus infecting a bacterium that infects a plant, or a protozoan infecting a nematode that infects an insect. This phenomenon is known as hyperparasitism.

The study of hyperparasites is important in various fields, including pest control and epidemiology. For instance, some hyperparasites are being investigated for their potential use in biological control of insect pests, as they can target and weaken the insect parasites that are already attacking crops. Similarly, understanding hyperparasitic relationships can shed light on the complex dynamics of disease transmission, particularly for diseases that involve multiple hosts or intermediate parasitic stages.

Hyperparasitism can occur across a wide range of taxonomic groups. Examples include viruses that infect bacteria (bacteriophages), fungi that attack other fungi, protozoans that infect insects, and even certain wasps that lay their eggs inside the larvae of other parasitic wasps. The interactions between hyperparasites and their host parasites can significantly influence the population dynamics and survival rates of both. In some cases, hyperparasites can act as a natural limiting factor on parasite populations, preventing them from reaching levels that would cause significant harm.