A heteroecious parasite is one that requires at least two hosts. The primary host is the host in which the parasite spends its adult life; the other is the secondary host. Both hosts are required for
Melampsora laricis-populina life cycle. (a) Biological macrocyclic heteroecious cycle of M. larici-populina. (b) Vegetative cycle occurring on poplar leaves and used as a model for molecular investigations of the poplar-poplar rust interaction. hpi=hours of postinoculation.