Such study also provides insight into how important other organisms are for our own well-being. The science of biological control is the study of such beneficial insects and their use in controlling pests. In nature, most types of animals can fall prey to other types of animals. A predator is an organism that obtains its food by killing two or more prey during its lifetime. Predators are often referred to as natural enemies of other types of animals they normally attack.
Insects have natural enemies, too.
One highly specialized form of insect predation is parasitism. This exercise focuses on insect parasitoids those that develop in or on another insect during their immature stages but are free living as adults. The material on the project itself provides the background information for the 4-H leader or others involved in youth education to implement the project. There is a worksheet that can be obtained and used as a handout for the members. Three levels of the project are included, to provide additional work for advanced members.