Let me share with you a difference between ectoparasite and endo parasite,
| Aspect | Ectoparasite | Endoparasite |
| Location | A parasite that lives on the surface of the host’s body or in its immediate environment | A parasite that lives inside the host’s body, often within tissues, organs, or body cavities |
| Attachment | Typically attaches to the host’s skin, fur, feathers, or scales | Attaches internally, often to tissues or organs using specialized structures |
| Feeding | Feeds on blood, tissue fluids, or skin cells directly from the host’s surface | Absorbs nutrients from the host’s internal fluids, tissues, or blood |
| Transmission of diseases | Can transmit diseases through bites or feeding activities | May transmit diseases through the release of eggs, larvae, or waste products into the host’s system |
| Protection from Environment | Exposed to environmental conditions | Sheltered from external environmental conditions |
| Host reaction | Often elicits visible signs on the host’s body, such as itching, redness, or inflammation | May not elicit obvious external signs initially; symptoms may develop as the parasite grows or causes damage internally |
| Life cycle | May have a simple life cycle involving direct transmission between hosts or stages | Often has a complex life cycle involving multiple stages and may require intermediate hosts |
| Prevention | · Insecticides
· Environmental management |
· Anthelmintic drugs
· Anti-parasitic medications · Hygiene practices |
| Examples
|
· Fleas
· Ticks · Lice · Mites · Leeches |
· Intestinal worms e.g., tapeworms, roundworms
· Blood flukes · Liver flukes |