| a. | 1. | (Bot.) Passing through the different stages in its life history on an alternation of hosts, as the common wheat-rust fungus (Puccinia graminis), and certain other parasitic fungi; - contrasted with |
| Adj. | 1. | heteroecious - of parasites; passing through different stages of the life cycle on different host species; "heteroecious fungi"; "heteroecious insects" Antonyms: autoecious, homoecious - of parasites especially rust fungi; completing the entire life cycle on a single host; "autoecious rust fungi" |