(adj) of parasites; passing through different stages of the life cycle on different host species, Ant. autoecious, Example:heteroecious fungi; heteroecious insects
a. [ Hetero- + Gr. &unr_; house. ] (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 autœcious. -- Het`er*œ"cism n. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]