Gregarine

/ˈɡrɛɡəriːn/ noun

Definition

A parasitic protozoan of the order Gregarinida that lives inside the cells or intestines of invertebrate hosts.

Etymology

From Latin gregarius (gregarious) referring to their clustered behavior within hosts. Entered scientific terminology in the 19th century.

Kelly Says

Gregarines are parasites that live their entire lives inside insects without killing them—making them perfectly adapted free-loaders that science only discovered when microscopes became powerful enough.

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